topple him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "topple him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is trying to overthrow or defeat another person, often in a political or competitive sense. Example: "The opposition party aimed to topple him from power during the upcoming election."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So Rwanda tried to topple him, too.

The Economist

"Yes, we want to topple him," he said.

The New York Times

For six years after that attempt to topple him, Macias's regime limped on.

Independent

Mobutu had done the same, which was why the Rwandan army helped Kabila topple him.

The Economist

Mr. Assad has accused the insurgents who are trying to topple him of using such munitions.

The New York Times

Powerful militias that helped topple him have not accepted the authority of the transitional government.

The New York Times

In 1837 Santa Cruz's forces defeated an Argentine army sent to topple him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He said he was confident that only foreign military intervention could topple him.

The New York Times

Nothing but death could topple him, and even that not very far, not in my mind".

The New Yorker

Mr Assad has long sought to cast all those seeking to topple him as terrorists.

Independent

Without the assistance of local insurgents, we can torment the Iraqi leader, but not topple him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "topple him" when you want to convey a sense of forceful or determined removal from a position of authority, often in a political context.

Common error

Avoid using "topple him" repeatedly in a single piece of writing; vary your language with synonyms like "overthrow", "oust", or "depose" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "topple him" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "topple" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("him"). Ludwig AI confirms it is correct. It describes the action of forcefully removing someone from a position of power.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "topple him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, predominantly in News & Media contexts, to describe the act of forcefully removing someone from a position of power. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While synonyms like "overthrow him" or "depose him" exist, "topple him" conveys a sense of determined action. When writing, remember to use the phrase in appropriate contexts and avoid overuse to maintain clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overthrow him

A direct synonym, implying forceful removal from power.

depose him

Suggests a formal or legal removal from a high position.

oust him

Implies removal, often through organized effort or force.

unseat him

Specifically refers to removing someone from a seated position, often in government.

remove him from power

A more descriptive and less forceful way of saying "topple him".

bring him down

Suggests causing someone's downfall, often through scandal or exposure.

dethrone him

Used when referring to monarchs or figures with regal authority.

overturn his rule

Focuses on ending someone's period of governance.

supplant him

Implies replacing someone with another person or thing.

defeat him

A more general term indicating victory over someone, not necessarily in a political context.

FAQs

What does "topple him" mean?

The phrase "topple him" means to remove someone from a position of power, especially in a forceful or sudden way, like a government leader or a CEO.

What can I say instead of "topple him"?

You can use alternatives like "overthrow him", "depose him", or "oust him" depending on the context.

Is "topple him" a formal or informal phrase?

"Topple him" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more commonly found in news reports and general discussions about politics or power struggles.

How to use "topple him" in a sentence?

You can use "topple him" in a sentence like: "The rebels are planning to "topple him" from his position of power."