were overthrown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were overthrown" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the removal or defeat of a government, regime, or authority, often in a historical or political context. Example: "The dictator's regime was unstable, and eventually, they were overthrown by a popular uprising."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Very soon the monarchy was abolished, and the House of Lords too; the institutions of the church were overthrown and a written constitution was introduced.

The Guardian

In November, residents listened to air raids by NATO forces for five consecutive nights, the first heavy fighting since the Taliban were overthrown eight years ago.

The New York Times

In 1991, in a virtually unprecedented upheaval, the Democrats in the legislature were overthrown and Republicans put in their place veto-proof majorities.

The New Yorker

None has a sure hold on power.If the Saudi royal family, in particular, were overthrown, it would send oil markets into turmoil.

The Economist

Those themes are historically explosive in Russia, where the czars were overthrown, in part, because of their dazzling riches surrounded by the deep poverty of the masses, a condition sometimes suggested in the shape the new Russia has assumed.

The New York Times

These autocrats in turn were overthrown, and after a subsequent period of violent anarchy people finally saw the wisdom of living under the rule of law.

SEP

Over the years, these accusations have faded as Latin American dictatorships were overthrown and leftist groups started using the ballot instead of bullets to gain power.

Huffington Post

They were overthrown internally, despite US support for them.

The Guardian

Who seriously believes 25 million Iraqis would not be better off if Saddam were overthrown?

The New York Times - Magazine

It ended in 1976 when Mao died and his widow and her associates were overthrown.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"There is no clear sign that he wants the existing order to be overthrown, or that he believes it would make very much difference if it were overthrown.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "were overthrown", ensure the subject clearly indicates the entity or group that lost power. For example, "The government were overthrown by a military coup."

Common error

Ensure the sentence structure clearly identifies who or what was overthrown. Avoid vague subjects that leave the reader uncertain about the entity that lost power.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were overthrown" functions as the main verb in a passive construction, indicating that the subject experienced the action of being forcibly removed from power or authority. Ludwig examples show diverse subjects undergoing this action, such as governments, leaders, and systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were overthrown" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the forceful removal of an entity from power. As confirmed by Ludwig, it typically appears in neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports, encyclopedias, and academic discussions. Usage examples from Ludwig show the phrase effectively conveys a sense of decisive change, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist frequently employing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were ousted

Focuses on the act of being expelled or forced out of a position.

were deposed

Specifically refers to the removal of a monarch or other high-ranking official from their throne or position.

were dethroned

Similar to 'were deposed', this emphasizes being removed from a position of royalty.

were toppled

Emphasizes a sudden and forceful fall from power, often suggesting instability.

were removed from power

A more formal and explicit way of stating that someone has lost their position of authority.

were unseated

Suggests being dislodged or displaced from a position, often used in a political context.

were unthroned

Implies the removal of a king, queen, or emperor from the throne.

suffered defeat

Highlights the loss or failure that led to the removal from power.

lost control

Focuses on the inability to maintain authority or power.

were supplanted

Indicates being replaced by someone or something else.

FAQs

How do I use "were overthrown" in a sentence?

Use "were overthrown" to describe a situation where a government, leader, or system is forcibly removed from power. For example, "The monarchy "was overthrown" after years of public discontent."

What can I say instead of "were overthrown"?

You can use alternatives like "were deposed", "were ousted", or "were toppled" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was overthrown" instead of "were overthrown"?

The correct form depends on the subject's plurality. Use "was overthrown" for singular subjects (e.g., "The dictator was overthrown"), and "were overthrown" for plural subjects (e.g., "The government were overthrown").

What's the difference between "were overthrown" and "were defeated"?

"Were overthrown" implies a forceful removal from power, often through violent means or a coup. "Were defeated", on the other hand, suggests a loss in a competition or conflict, not necessarily a complete removal from power.