toppled

Toppled is the past tense and past participle of the verb topple. It means to cause to fall from an upright position or to fall over, and can describe objects that have been knocked down as well as processes that result in overthrow. In metaphorical use, toppled can describe the overthrow of a government, regime, or authority, or the removal of statues or monuments.

The verb topple is long-established in English; its exact etymology is uncertain, with attestations dating back to the Middle Ages. Toppled is used as both a finite verb form and an adjective, often following forms of be or have: for example, The tree was toppled by the storm, and the toppled statue lay in the square.

In everyday usage, toppled describes physical outcomes such as toppled blocks or toppled chairs. In political or social contexts, it denotes dramatic change achieved through protests, coups, or revolutions, as in the government was toppled after mass demonstrations. The sense can be extended to digital or organizational structures as well, where a hierarchy or system is toppled or overthrown.

Related terms include topple (present tense), overthrow, unseat, bring down, and collapse. Antonyms include stand, remain upright, stay in power. The word is commonly used in journalism, history, and political discourse to convey overturning or reversal.