capsize

verb

cap·​size ˈkap-ˌsīz How to pronounce capsize (audio)
kap-ˈsīz
capsized; capsizing

transitive verb

: to cause to overturn
capsize a canoe

intransitive verb

: to become upset or overturned : turn over
the canoe capsized
capsize noun

Examples of capsize in a Sentence

They were fooling around and accidentally capsized the canoe. a huge wave out of nowhere caused our little sailboat to capsize
Recent Examples on the Web And the result was tragic — a young boy and a woman were trapped under the vessel and drowned after the vessel capsized. USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 In May 2022, 11 Haitian women drowned when their boat capsized near the U.S. territory. Michael Wilner, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 Putting 850-foot-tall wind turbines in California’s deep ocean waters would require mounting them on floating platforms big enough to prevent them from capsizing in storms; that would likely mean 40 times more materials. Craig Rucker, Orange County Register, 19 Feb. 2024 Four Mexican tourists died after a boat carrying 19 people capsized between Cancún and Isla Mujeres, authorities said Tuesday. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 30 Jan. 2024 Two cousins in their early 20s were out fishing on the frigid pond when their boat capsized, officials said. Makiya Seminera, Miami Herald, 21 Feb. 2024 Four people died after a boat carrying 19 people capsized or sunk between Cancún and Isla Mujeres on Monday, officials said. Sarah Al-Arshani, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024 Authorities rescued four men after their boat capsized off of Florida’s Virginia Key Beach on Thursday night. David Chiu, Peoplemag, 5 Jan. 2024 One of the highest death tolls in recent years came in 2021, when 27 people died after their boat capsized during a single crossing. Megan Specia, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'capsize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Spanish capuzar or Catalan cabussar to thrust (the head) underwater

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of capsize was in 1778

Dictionary Entries Near capsize

Cite this Entry

“Capsize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capsize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

capsize

verb
cap·​size ˈkap-ˌsīz How to pronounce capsize (audio)
kap-ˈsīz
capsized; capsizing
: to become or cause to become upset or overturned : turn over
canoes capsize easily

More from Merriam-Webster on capsize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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