over·turn
ˌō-vər-ˈtərn 
overturned; overturning; overturns
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
Oscar Handlin
b
: reverse sense 2a
overturn a court ruling
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
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 WebMeredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 Nov. 2023
The car overturned and threw the passengers from the vehicle, the statement said.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 24 Nov. 2023
By October, an appeals panel overturned Staunton’s decision.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
The truck overturned and crashed into a tree before coming to rest at the bottom of an embankment.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2023
The new serotine bat findings overturn the idea that mammals need to have penetration to reproduce, opening the door to the possibility that other mammals engage in contact mating.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2023
Officials said the box truck overturned on the HOV exit ramp over the southbound lanes of the Insterstate 45 North Freeway.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 22 Nov. 2023
Since 2018, their students have helped overturn the convictions of seven innocent people.
—Lizzie Hyman, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
Those three justices form the backbone of the new conservative majority and provided the decisive votes to overturn Roe v. Wade.
—The Editors, National Review, 21 Nov. 2023
Essence, 30 Sep. 2023
Before the overturn of Roe, terminating pregnancies through this method accounted for around 5% of abortions (4,045 per month) but now has increased to 8% (6,950 per month).
—Breccan F. Thies, Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2023
The knowledge of the harm that is done by disregarding these urgent skills was known by a close friend of Reed who helped train them in preparation for the possible overturn of Roe V. Wade.
—Essence, 30 Sep. 2023
Abortions spiked in states neighboring or near those with restrictions after the overturn of Roe v. Wade, according to a new study.
—Breccan F. Thies, Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2023
Sportsbooks took nearly $5 billion in bets in 2018, the year the overturn of PASPA changed everything for all other states.
—Chris Bumbaca, The Courier-Journal, 5 Sep. 2023
Challenges have resulted in overturns only about 46 percent of the time, with umpires’ initial rulings upheld a majority of the time.
—Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2023
Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, the rights of pregnant people have been dramatically eroded.
—Clare Egan, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2023
In addition, our poll finds that Roe v. Wade’s overturn is an intensity issue.
—Chuck Todd, NBC News, 23 June 2023
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Verb
According to the plea agreement, Brannon planned to attack a second Planned Parenthood clinic following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, but didn't follow through.
—Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 Nov. 2023
The car overturned and threw the passengers from the vehicle, the statement said.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 24 Nov. 2023
By October, an appeals panel overturned Staunton’s decision.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2023
The truck overturned and crashed into a tree before coming to rest at the bottom of an embankment.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2023
The new serotine bat findings overturn the idea that mammals need to have penetration to reproduce, opening the door to the possibility that other mammals engage in contact mating.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2023
Officials said the box truck overturned on the HOV exit ramp over the southbound lanes of the Insterstate 45 North Freeway.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 22 Nov. 2023
Since 2018, their students have helped overturn the convictions of seven innocent people.
—Lizzie Hyman, Peoplemag, 22 Nov. 2023
Those three justices form the backbone of the new conservative majority and provided the decisive votes to overturn Roe v. Wade.
—The Editors, National Review, 21 Nov. 2023
Noun
When asked how the overturn of Roe V. Wade affects Black people specifically, Williams explains that the South is experiencing overwhelming restrictions.
—Essence, 30 Sep. 2023
Before the overturn of Roe, terminating pregnancies through this method accounted for around 5% of abortions (4,045 per month) but now has increased to 8% (6,950 per month).
—Breccan F. Thies, Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2023
The knowledge of the harm that is done by disregarding these urgent skills was known by a close friend of Reed who helped train them in preparation for the possible overturn of Roe V. Wade.
—Essence, 30 Sep. 2023
Abortions spiked in states neighboring or near those with restrictions after the overturn of Roe v. Wade, according to a new study.
—Breccan F. Thies, Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2023
Sportsbooks took nearly $5 billion in bets in 2018, the year the overturn of PASPA changed everything for all other states.
—Chris Bumbaca, The Courier-Journal, 5 Sep. 2023
Challenges have resulted in overturns only about 46 percent of the time, with umpires’ initial rulings upheld a majority of the time.
—Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2023
Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, the rights of pregnant people have been dramatically eroded.
—Clare Egan, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2023
In addition, our poll finds that Roe v. Wade’s overturn is an intensity issue.
—Chuck Todd, NBC News, 23 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overturn.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Phrases Containing overturn
Dictionary Entries Near overturn
Cite this Entry
“Overturn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overturn. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
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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
noun
ˈō-vər-ˌtərn
Legal Definition
overturn
transitive verb
over·turn
: overrule
More from Merriam-Webster on overturn
Nglish: Translation of overturn for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of overturn for Arabic Speakers
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