overturn

1 of 2

verb

over·​turn ˌō-vər-ˈtərn 

overturned; overturning; overturns

transitive verb

1

: to cause to turn over : upset

overturned the vase

2

a

: invalidate, destroy

the degree to which accident could overturn the schemes of wise men

—Oscar Handlin

b

: reverse sense 2a

overturn a court ruling

intransitive verb

: upset, turn over

The car went off the road and overturned several times.

overturn

2 of 2

noun

over·​turn ˈō-vər-ˌtərn 

1

: the act of overturning : the state of being overturned

2

: the sinking of surface water and rise of bottom water in a lake or sea that results from changes in temperature that commonly occur in spring and fall

Synonyms

Verb

• capsize
• turn over
• upset

Examples of overturn in a Sentence

Verb

The dog overturned the bowl.

The truck went off the road and overturned several times.

The court overturned his conviction.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Film mogul Harvey Weinstein is set to appear in a New York City court next week, the first step in potentially retrying the 72-year-old after his 2020 rape conviction was overturned. —CBS News, 27 Apr. 2024

Numerous Democrats joined Republicans to overturn the veto in a 104-15 vote. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

circa 1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing overturn

• overturn the decision

Kids Definition

overturn

verb

over·​turn

ˌō-vər-ˈtərn

1

: to turn over or upside down

waves overturned the boat

2

a

: invalidate, destroy

overturn the group's unity

b

: reverse entry 2 sense 2a

overturn the court's ruling

overturn

ˈō-vər-ˌtərn

noun

Legal Definition

overturn

transitive verb

over·​turn

: overrule