overthrowing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'overthrowing' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb which means to remove or force out of power by force or violent action. Examples: 1. The rebels were successful in overthrowing the oppressive government. 2. The citizens took to the streets, determined to overthrow the corrupt dictator. 3. The overthrowing of the monarchy led to the establishment of a democratic system. 4. The workers union organized a protest with the goal of overthrowing the unfair labor laws. 5. The military coup resulted in the overthrowing of the existing regime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The "enemies within" and the "organised revolutionary minority" bent on overthrowing the old order turned out to be globalised finance, not the Communist party.

The Guardian

What it means in wider terms is that the protracted recession – France's economy flatlining again, Germany a bit brighter – is unsettling politics-as-usual, but not overthrowing it.

The Guardian

The head of al-Qaida has accused the US of overthrowing the former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi, but also said he was responsible for his own downfall by for trying to appease Washington.

The Guardian

The intelligence assessment, for the period up to February 3 , 1972 also claimed that the then Irish premier, Jack Lynch, had promised funds to groups dedicated to overthrowing the Stormont government.

The Guardian

Among a little knot of happy SNP members was Chris Stephens, one of the Glasgow Seven and now accorded hero status for overthrowing Ian Davidson, reviled king of the Nat-bashers.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were also overthrowing several centuries of Amharic rule in Ethiopia.The military and political core of the northern newcomers, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), was Tigrayan, a small ethnic group, just 7% of the population, which could not hope to dominate the vast and heterogeneous country.

The Economist

That unconstitutional "deviation", as it is called in Pakistan, enabled Mr Musharraf to sack 12 judges of the supreme court who seemed bent on overthrowing him.

The Economist

Electoral reform in the mid-1990s introduced single-member districts, helping to create an opposition that could take on the LDP.Third, by overthrowing the LDP, Japan's voters have turfed out not just a party, but a whole system.

The Economist

Thanks to a military build-up under Álvaro Uribe, Mr Santos's predecessor, the guerrillas no longer have any chance of overthrowing the state.

The Economist

"Overthrowing oppressive and tyrannical regimes is often hard, but successfully reconstructing the societies that they've damaged, distorted, and poisoned by their rule is usually even harder".

The Economist

The spectacle of an urban elite overthrowing an elected leader, one who enjoyed great popularity among the rural poor whom he genuinely helped, is not only distasteful but potentially dangerous.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overthrowing", ensure the context clearly indicates the entity being removed and the method or force used in the removal.

Common error

Avoid using "overthrowing" when a less forceful term like "reversing" or "changing" would be more accurate. "Overthrowing" implies a significant power shift or forceful removal, so it is important to choose it carefully.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overthrowing" is as a present participle or gerund, functioning as part of a verb phrase or as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, as seen in examples where it describes the action of forcibly removing someone or something from power.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overthrowing" functions as a present participle or gerund, typically describing the forceful removal of an established authority or system. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent use, mainly in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, ensure the context warrants its strong connotation. Related terms include "deposing", "ousting", and "toppling", each offering subtle differences in meaning. When writing, be mindful of overusing "overthrowing" in situations where a less forceful term would be more appropriate. With its high frequency in authoritative sources such as The Economist and The Guardian, mastering its usage will significantly enhance your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deposing

Refers specifically to removing someone from a high position, often a monarch or leader.

ousting

Implies forcibly removing someone from a position of power or influence.

toppling

Suggests a sudden and forceful removal, often of a government or regime.

dismantling

Indicates the systematic breaking down or destruction of a system or structure.

subverting

Implies undermining the power or authority of an established system or institution.

overturning

Suggests reversing a decision or established order.

bringing down

A more general term for causing the downfall of someone or something.

dethroning

Specifically refers to removing a monarch from their throne.

unseating

Implies removing someone from a seat of power or authority, often in a political context.

dislodging

Indicates the process of forcibly removing someone or something from a position.

FAQs

How is "overthrowing" typically used in a sentence?

"Overthrowing" is usually used to describe the act of forcibly removing someone or something from power. For example, "The rebels succeeded in overthrowing the government."

What verbs can I use instead of "overthrowing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "deposing", "ousting", or "toppling".

Is it correct to say "overthrowing the idea"? If not, what's a better alternative?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to say "reversing the idea" or "challenging the idea". "Overthrowing" often implies a more forceful action than is intended in such contexts.

What's the difference between "subverting" and "overthrowing"?

"Subverting" implies undermining something gradually, while "overthrowing" suggests a more direct and forceful removal from power or position.