To knock or bring something down, to set something on its side, or to recline (e.g. a seat); physically cause something upright to fall or lie down.
台風で庭の大きな木を倒してしまった。
The typhoon blew down a large tree in the garden.
飛行機の座席を倒して少し休んだ。
I reclined the airplane seat and rested a bit.
重い箱を横に倒して車に積んだ。
I turned the heavy box on its side and loaded it into the car.
To defeat or beat an opponent; in stronger contexts, to kill or put down an enemy.
格闘技の試合で相手を倒した。
I knocked down/defeated my opponent in the fight.
警察は暴漢を倒して拘束した。
The police overpowered the attacker and restrained him.
彼らは戦争で敵軍を倒した。
They defeated the enemy army in the war.
To overthrow, trip up, or ruin something — e.g., topple a regime, thwart a plan, or undo a project or argument.
市民運動によって腐敗政権を倒すことができた。
The corrupt regime was toppled by the civic movement.
競合他社の巧妙な戦略が我々の計画を倒してしまった。
A competitor's clever strategy undermined (ruined) our plan.
法廷での新しい証拠が彼の主張を倒した。
The new evidence in court refuted his claim.
To leave unpaid or cheat someone financially — to short-change or make someone lose money by not paying or by deceit.
食事の後で代金を払わずに店を倒して逃げる事件があった。
There was an incident where someone skipped out on the bill after a meal and fled.
悪徳業者に騙されて大金を倒されたと訴えた。
He claimed he was cheated out of a large sum by a dishonest dealer.
An auxiliary use after the -masu stem of a verb meaning to do something thoroughly or to the utmost (e.g., '遊び倒す' enjoy thoroughly, '飲み倒す' drink heavily).
大学時代は友達と遊び倒した。
During college I partied/played to the fullest with friends.
あのバーで昨晩は飲み倒したため、今日は二日酔いだ。
I drank heavily at that bar last night, so I'm hungover today.
休日は家で本を読み倒すことが多い。
On my days off I often read books thoroughly (read a lot).