1
as in relinquishing
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
reluctantly turned the ship over to the first mate while he went below to try to stop the leak
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in leaving
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another
turned the evidence over to the police
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in turning turtle
to turn on one's side or upside down
don't try to tell me the bucket turned over all by itself
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in flipping
to change the position of (an object) so that the opposite side or end is showing
would you mind turning the picture over so I can see if the backing needs to be replaced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turning over
His team sits just a half-game out of second place in the East after turning over half of its rotation this offseason.
—
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Richard Pitino will prove to be a good hire for the Musketeers, but the transition to a new coach and completely turning over the roster will make for a transition season.
—The Athletic College Basketball Staff, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Billups was released from custody under the conditions of turning over his passport, not contacting any of the 30-plus co-defendants charged, and not participating in any gambling activity.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Chapell relented, turning over his phone and divulging his passcode.
—Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
By a conservative estimate, the Kinahans were turning over tens of millions of dollars annually.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
La Gritona is proudly additive-free and always prioritizes sustainability, turning over its agave remnants to local farmers for cattle feed.
—Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The anecdote came up as part of a larger conversation Barrymore was having with her audience that day about turning over a new page after turning 50 earlier this year.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
Both McLaurin and Hendrickson were subject of major speculation in New England all summer, as Mike Vrabel has been in the process of turning over the Patriots' roster.
—Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Richard Pitino will prove to be a good hire for the Musketeers, but the transition to a new coach and completely turning over the roster will make for a transition season.
—The Athletic College Basketball Staff, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Billups was released from custody under the conditions of turning over his passport, not contacting any of the 30-plus co-defendants charged, and not participating in any gambling activity.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Chapell relented, turning over his phone and divulging his passcode.
—Jesse Hyde, Rolling Stone, 21 Oct. 2025
By a conservative estimate, the Kinahans were turning over tens of millions of dollars annually.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
La Gritona is proudly additive-free and always prioritizes sustainability, turning over its agave remnants to local farmers for cattle feed.
—Carley Rojas Ávila, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
The anecdote came up as part of a larger conversation Barrymore was having with her audience that day about turning over a new page after turning 50 earlier this year.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
Both McLaurin and Hendrickson were subject of major speculation in New England all summer, as Mike Vrabel has been in the process of turning over the Patriots' roster.
—Michael Hurley, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning over
Verb
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The Buffalo Bills lasted seven weeks in the pole position before relinquishing the title to the Kansas City Chiefs.—
Scott Phillips,
New York Times,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Hamas has shown no signs of relinquishing power or its weapons.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Limited backup power could knock out internet access, leaving millions to wait for instant answers.—
Jamie Yuccas,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
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Vatti said Diamantis made an $80,000 payment on the day after signing the retainer and made an additional six payments totalling $105,000 between August 2024 and February 2025, leaving the $65,000 balance.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Tire tracks can still be seen leading to a guardrail, which the truck struck before flipping and slamming into the Chestnut Ridge apartment building.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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In fact, Williams committed to Kiffin (at Mississippi) before flipping his pledge to then-Arizona coach Jedd Fisch in the summer of 2023.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However, the amount of money actually saved by the department has been called into question and Musk has since left the administration, rendering DOGE somewhat defunct.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Jan. 2026
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However, the amount of money actually saved by the department has been called into question and Musk has since left the administration, rendering DOGE somewhat defunct.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the fourth quarter and the game well in hand, Ndukwe blocked James Ferguson-Reynolds’ punt, handing IU the ball on the seven.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
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Sanders recorded 16 tackles and one forced fumble in 13 games, with Pro Football Focus handing him the third-best grade of all Texas State defenders.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Oral arguments in November went badly for the administration, and prediction markets currently put 70% odds on the Supreme Court overturning the tariffs.—
Shelly Banjo,
semafor.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Donald filed for an appeal in February 1997, and a court heard his pleas in 2015 before overturning his convictions.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That clinched the season series for the Rams, reversing a trend in which the 49ers swept the regular-season matchups from 2019-22.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
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Pack credited her courage in reversing the company’s past decisions.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The last time Ohtani took the mound was in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, turning in a sterling six innings, allowing two hits and striking out 10 batters.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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The second writer on the Billitier project never saw a dime, despite turning in a treatment that would normally earn him a WGA minimum of $50,000.—
Steve Belanger,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turning over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20over. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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