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
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
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
Now, Bannon wants the Supreme Court to overturn his conviction.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Brandon Downs, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
White and the three commissioners held a hearing in Kiowa on Xcel Energy’s request that the PUC overturn Elbert County’s denial of permits for construction of 48 miles of transmission lines and equipment.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overturn
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Verb
The rules committee advanced legislation on Monday night that would block votes to overturn the tariffs on countries such as Canada, China, and Mexico, among others, through July 31.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
Now, Bannon wants the Supreme Court to overturn his conviction.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
The Subaru then slowed to a stop due to traffic and was rear-ended by the Nissan, which was hit by a big rig towing a trailer filled with cardboard, causing the big rig to overturn, officers said.
—Brandon Downs, CBS News, 23 Jan. 2026
White and the three commissioners held a hearing in Kiowa on Xcel Energy’s request that the PUC overturn Elbert County’s denial of permits for construction of 48 miles of transmission lines and equipment.
—Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overturn
Cite this Entry
“Overturn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overturn. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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