topple Definition
top·ple (täp′əl)
intransitive verb -·pled, -·pling
- to fall (over) because or as if top-heavy
- to lean forward as if on the point of falling; overbalance; totter
transitive verb
- to cause to topple; overturn
- to overthrow to topple a monarch
topple Synonyms
topple Usage Examples
Object
- dictator: We topple an evil dictator in Iraq, yet support an evil dictator in Uzbekistan.
- tyrant: To conquer al-Qaeda, to find WMD, to topple an evil tyrant?
- statue: Ropes were wound round the statue's neck, and, to cheers, the crowd attempted to topple the statue.
- regime: Now, even Chalabi admits he was lying in order to topple Iraqi regime.
- president: The message of his new film Fahrenheit 9/11 is very clear indeed: he intends nothing less than to topple the president.
- tower: He who would be a tower must not fear to be a toppling tower.
Adjective complement
Iraqi: A Bush administration official said the meeting would not focus on military planning for a possible invasion to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Modifying Another Word
- nearly: Alastair nearly toppled over the edge at one point.
- eventually: Plus the " creep " of big snow banks may well eventually topple the gantries themselves.
- almost: The songs bulge and almost topple over with a weight of EXPERIENCE.
- finally: A slave rebellion of 1791 finally toppled the colony.
- easily: Lacking any such political foundations, Kennedy was easily toppled by his drinking.
- forward: A wave of disorientation hit him, much stronger than before, and he toppled forward.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- over: The sight of a huge lorry which has toppled over onto its side is enough to cause anyone to shudder.
- off: As he toppled off, he grasped for anything to support himself with, and found the table.
- down: But pulling harder it soon came free and the 70m of rope toppled down on top of me.
Followed by a transitive particle
- over: Which you almost do, until Harry runs forward prematurely, causing the plane to topple over the edge!
- off: Perhaps Best, therefore, was a floored genius given the number of times he must have toppled off bar stools.
Preposition: of
statue: Ron Kovic gave the countdown to the toppling of the 30-foot statue of Bush, grasping a missile, to enormous acclaim.
Preposition: from
power: Q: After Saddam is toppled from power, what kind of a government do you think will be established in Iraq?
Browse dictionary entries near topple
- ‹ topping
- ‹ topper
- ‹ topos
- ‹ toponymy
- ‹ toponymic
- ‹ toponym
- ‹ topology
- ‹ topography
- ‹ topographer
- ‹ topog
- tops ›
- topsail ›
- topside ›
- Topsider ›
- topsoil ›
- topspin ›
- topstitching ›
- topsy-turvy ›
- toque ›
- toque blanche ›

