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 of overturn

Verb

• capsize
• upset
• collapse
• topple
• turn over
• overthrow
• fall
• upend
• keel
• turn turtle
• invert
• tilt

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

Sunday’s decision was comparable to a 1962 ruling allowing Brazilian attacker Garrincha to play in the World Cup final after high-level political figures — including Prime Minister Tancredo Neves — petitioned FIFA to overturn or drop the suspension. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

But a state appeals court overturned that injunction in April, allowing the operation to continue. — Joel Rose, NPR, 5 July 2026

Noun

No catcher with more than 40 challenges has a better percentage than Stephenson’s 73 percent overturn percentage, with Stephenson winning 54 of his 74 challenges. — C. Trent Rosecrans, New York Times, 6 July 2026

And while European fans, and the Belgian soccer federation, are furious about the overturn, FIFA used this same protocol to allow Cristiano Ronaldo to play for Portugal. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026

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

Rhymes for overturn

• taciturn
• unconcern
• adjourn
• concern
• decern
• discern
• downturn
• extern
• heartburn
• interne
• nocturne
• return

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