overturn

verb

over·​turn ˌō-vər-ˈtərn How to pronounce overturn (audio)
overturned; overturning; overturns
Synonyms of overturnnext

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.

Examples of overturn in a Sentence

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.
Democrats asked whether that includes federal court orders, and Mullin responded that depends on whether a higher court overturns a ruling. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 4 June 2026 The ruling came after similar cases in Michigan and Georgia were dismissed by the courts and a special prosecutor dropped a federal case in late 2024 that charged Trump with conspiring to overturn the 2020 election. Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026 He was stripped of his heavyweight title and sentenced to a five-year prison term for refusing induction into the military (the Supreme Court unanimously overturned Ali’s conviction on appeal). Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 4 June 2026 An appeals court later overturned the decision. Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for overturn

Word History

First Known Use

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

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

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Cite this Entry

“Overturn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overturn. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.

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

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