capsized

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'capsized' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an event or situation where something has turned upside down, overturned, or been thrown into disarray. For example, "The company quickly capsized due to the rapid changes in the marketplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Suddenly, the ship turned to the left and then capsized.

The Guardian

In the early hours of 3 October, near a beach once declared the "world's best" by users of TripAdvisor, a boat packed with more than 500 Eritrean men, women and children caught fire and capsized.

The Guardian

During the incident, customs vessels were on the scene and personnel had boarded the asylum seekers' vessel when it was swamped by two large waves and capsized.

The Guardian

"If they had rough seas, which most surely they had, plus a huge catch that they tried to empty, they probably capsized because of that," he said.

The Guardian

However the review found that despite the Albany's commanding officer considering the need for provision of lifejackets to to the vessel, he elected not to, "based on his professional judgments", adding it may not have been "physically possible" to hand over lifejackets before the boat capsized, particularly given the weather conditions.

The Guardian

The ship capsized Friday night off Tuscany.

The Guardian

It capsized in a few minutes.

The Guardian

The boat that sank on April 19th was about 20 metres long and carrying more than 900 people, many of them locked below decks; it appears to have capsized when those on deck rushed to one side, seeking to board a ship offering to rescue them.Is migration becoming more dangerous over time?

The Economist

Three days before that another migrant boat capsized near Italy, killing at least 33.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Officials suggested that the crew had accidentally capsized the vessel, which was ageing and overcrowded.

The Guardian

Capsized emotionally by the death of his mother, he converted to Islam.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "capsized" to specifically describe boats or other watercraft turning over in water. It can also be used figuratively to describe systems or plans that have failed catastrophically.

Common error

Avoid using "capsized" loosely to describe minor setbacks or inconveniences. The term carries a strong connotation of complete and often disastrous overturning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "capsized" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'capsize'. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes the action of something overturning, especially a boat.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capsized" is a verb primarily used to describe the overturning of a boat or other watercraft. According to Ludwig AI, it can also be used figuratively to describe situations that have been completely overturned or ruined. The word is most commonly found in news and media sources and encyclopedias, with a neutral register. While grammatically correct, it's important to avoid overusing "capsized" in figurative contexts to maintain its impact. Alternative phrases like "overturned" or "flipped over" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overturned

This suggests a complete reversal in position, similar to "capsized" but not specific to watercraft.

flipped over

This implies a quick and sudden turning over, similar to the action of something "capsized".

keeled over

Describes a tilting and potentially overturning motion, often used for boats.

turned turtle

An idiom for "capsized", particularly when referring to a boat.

upended

This conveys a turning upside down, similar to "capsized" but applicable to various objects.

inverted

Signifies a reversal of position, often in a more formal context.

overwhelmed

Figuratively suggests being overcome or overturned by something, extending beyond physical contexts.

subverted

This implies an undermining or overturning of established systems or ideas.

collapsed

Describes a situation where something has fallen apart or given way, carrying a similar meaning of drastic failure as "capsized" does.

destabilized

Signifies a loss of stability, leading to potential overturning or failure in a system or structure.

FAQs

How is "capsized" typically used in a sentence?

"Capsized" is generally used to describe a boat or other watercraft that has overturned in the water. For example, "The boat "capsized" during the storm".

What are some synonyms for "capsized" when referring to a boat?

Alternatives to "capsized" when referring to a boat include "overturned", "flipped over", and "keeled over".

Can "capsized" be used in a non-literal sense?

Yes, "capsized" can be used figuratively to describe situations that have been completely overturned or ruined, such as "The company quickly "capsized" due to the rapid changes in the marketplace".

Which is more appropriate: "capsized" or "sank"?

"Capsized" refers to the action of turning over, while "sank" refers to going below the water's surface. A boat might capsize and then sink, but they are distinct events.