How to pronounce overthrow
Say it like OH-ver-throh. Overthrow has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH).
VoiceSpeed
US American/ˈoʊvɚˌθroʊ/OH-ver-throh
UK British/əʊvəˈθrəʊ/oh-vuh-THROH
- OH
- ver
- throh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Overthrow pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- OHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- verKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- throhGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of overthrow
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: oh-vuh-THROH.
What does overthrow mean?
verb
- To bring about the downfall of (a government, etc.), especially by force; to usurp.“I hate the current government, but not enough to want to overthrow them.”
- A removal, especially of a ruler or government, by force or threat of force; usurpation.
- To throw (something) so that it goes too far.“He overthrew first base, for an error.”
Where does overthrow come from?
For the noun sense, compare Middle English overthrow, overthrowe (“destruction, downfall”), from the verb.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying overthrow
How do you pronounce overthrow?
Say OH-ver-throh. The American pronunciation is /ˈoʊvɚˌθroʊ/. In British English it is /əʊvəˈθrəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in overthrow?
Overthrow has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (OH). Broken into parts: OH · ver · throh.
Is overthrow pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 3. The British form is /əʊvəˈθrəʊ/ (oh-vuh-THROH).