dethrone

Remove from power

To dethrone is to remove a monarch from power, and by extension, to displace anyone or anything from a position of dominance.

A boxing champion is dethroned by a challenger.

A bestseller is dethroned from the top of the charts.

The scandal dethroned the once-beloved CEO.

The word implies not just defeat but loss of an elevated status.

political

overthrow

Forcible removal from power

deposeRemove from authority
oustRemove from position
toppleCause to fall

usurp · coup · revolution · abdication · succession · regent · heir · dynasty · monarch · sovereign

figurative

displace

Remove from proper position

supplantReplace by force
eclipseCelestial body blocks another
supersedeReplace something outdated

replace · dominance · icon · status · pedestal · idol · influence · celebrity · legacy · downfall

competitive

unseat

Remove from position

surpassExceed in achievement
defeatVictory over another
championTop competitor, or advocate

title · ranking · rival · underdog · contender · supremacy · dominance · reigning · upset · challenger

Categories

Revolutionrevolt, uprising, insurrection, overthrow, revolutionaries
takeovertakeover, take over, seize power, seizure, coup d'etat
bring downbring down, take down, pull down, tear down, knock down
royal actionscoronation, decree, abdication, reign, knighting
substitutessubstitute, subs, replacement, substitutes, stand-in

Opposites

conferring vs. removing power/status

dethroneenthrone

Formally install as ruler

crown · throne · coronate · install · instate

establishing vs. ending dominance

dethroneenthrone

Formally install as ruler

crown · install · elevate · establish · enshrine

status elevation

dethroneexalt

Praise with great intensity

elevate · raise up · glorify · enshrine · honor

Family

dethroned, dethrones, dethronement, dethroning, dethronings, dethronements

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G