Umstürzen

Umstürzen is a German verb meaning to topple or overthrow. It can describe a physical act, such as toppling a column or a tree, as well as a political one, such as overthrowing a government or regime. The prefix um- signals a change of position or reversal, combined with stürzen (to fall or plunge).

Grammatically, umstürzen is separable: Präsens formations include ich stürze das Regal um and er stürzt das Auto um. In the perfect tense the prefix moves to the end: ich habe das Regal umgestürzt. The form with sein, umgefallen or umgestürzt, may be used for intransitive focuses on a thing’s fall, depending on context.

Noun usage centers on der Umsturz, the act or process of overthrow. In political language, Umsturz denotes a fundamental change in power and can refer to revolts, coups, or abrupt regime changes. The term is related to, but distinct from, Sturz (a fall or collapse) and Putsch (a coup, often implying clandestine planning and force). Staatssturz is a common compound used for the overthrow of a state or government.

In historical and contemporary discourse, Umstürze may result from revolutions, civil unrest, or organized coup attempts. The nuance often hinges on scope and intent: Umsturz conveys a wide, systemic upheaval, whereas Sturz may emphasize descent or collapse, and Putsch emphasizes an overt or conspiratorial maneuver.

See also: Staatssturz, Revolte, Revolution.