overturn

1 of 2

verb

over·​turn ˌō-vər-ˈtərn How to pronounce overturn (audio)
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 menOscar 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 How to pronounce overturn (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Separately, Trump was indicted in state court in Georgia with a number of his allies related to efforts to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 election in the state. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 23 Nov. 2024 Three years later, overturning the ban against college athletes making money from their name, image and likeness (also known as NIL) is having major payoffs. Tanya Chen, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
That led to the overturn of Roe v. Wade and other conservative advances. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024 In a bold statement on reproductive rights, especially given the controversial Supreme Court overturn of Roe vs. Wade back in 2022, Area collaborated with Tinder for its fall 2024 show this year. Kanika Talwar, WWD, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overturn 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of overturn was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near overturn

Cite this Entry

“Overturn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overturn. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on overturn

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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