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
Relevance
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
Since the alliance of unions ratified their new contracts, both labor and Kaiser executives have signaled interest in turning over a new leaf.
—
Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
The 30 year old allegedly went through the facility's south TSA security checkpoint without turning over any of his baggage, according to the allegations read by presiding judge Latrevia Kates-Johnson during Oloruntoba's bond hearing on Tuesday.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
What was His message in turning over the tables, besides showing His rudeness?
—John Kenney, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
Ted Soqui / Pool via Getty Images Prosecutors noted that protocol prevents them from turning over the sensitive images, but that defense attorneys can view the data at a clean computer in the justice center.
—Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
The complex project rolled on, the state turning over $61 million of the subsidy in May 2025 to cover dozens of pending property sales and demolitions.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Those leases were expiring, and the families could not afford to renew them, so Villanueva helped exhume the bodies, turning over the bones to a forensic pathologist who examined the remains and kept records for future use.
—Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
All of which is to say, Morgan needs to keep turning over stones.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
The Panthers then went on a 16-7 run to pull ahead by a dozen, before MC stopped turning over the ball and trimmed the deficit at the half to 34-28.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 10 June 2026
The 30 year old allegedly went through the facility's south TSA security checkpoint without turning over any of his baggage, according to the allegations read by presiding judge Latrevia Kates-Johnson during Oloruntoba's bond hearing on Tuesday.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
What was His message in turning over the tables, besides showing His rudeness?
—John Kenney, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
Ted Soqui / Pool via Getty Images Prosecutors noted that protocol prevents them from turning over the sensitive images, but that defense attorneys can view the data at a clean computer in the justice center.
—Madeline Morrison, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
The complex project rolled on, the state turning over $61 million of the subsidy in May 2025 to cover dozens of pending property sales and demolitions.
—CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Those leases were expiring, and the families could not afford to renew them, so Villanueva helped exhume the bodies, turning over the bones to a forensic pathologist who examined the remains and kept records for future use.
—Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
All of which is to say, Morgan needs to keep turning over stones.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
The Panthers then went on a 16-7 run to pull ahead by a dozen, before MC stopped turning over the ball and trimmed the deficit at the half to 34-28.
—Justin Barrasso, Boston Herald, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning over
Verb
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Iranian media have emphasized that reopening the waterway to shipping does not mean Tehran is relinquishing its wartime claims over the strategic chokepoint.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026
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Trump has said numerous times that any final resolution would have to involve Iran relinquishing its nuclear program, either by means of a diplomatic agreement or by force.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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At that edition in Germany, 19 from the squad of 22 had experience of professional football in Ghana’s top two divisions before leaving for European leagues, usually as teenagers.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Rasmussen lasted through the seventh inning, leaving that home run as the only blemish on his outing.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The first touched down in Lady Lake, lifting roofs off homes and overturning mobile homes.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 June 2026
-
Unbelievably, the referee listened to Prince Fahad, before agreeing with him and overturning the goal.—
Jonathan Thompson,
Travel + Leisure,
10 June 2026
Verb
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The evening concluded with graduates receiving their diplomas before flipping their tassels and tossing their caps into the air to celebrate the start of their next chapter.—
Stephanie Ogilvie,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
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The entire lighting system can be neutralized by flipping a single switch, obliterating all visibility except for a spotlight on the enemy’s crotch.—
Dahlia Gallin Ramirez,
New Yorker,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Attorneys for the plaintiffs argue that RTD is lying about its inability to pay for Access on Demand and are asking a judge to declare that the changes to Access on Demand violate the ADA, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, thus rendering the changes unlawful.—
Austen Erblat,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
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Other duties include rendering expert legal advice and opinions and representing the California Department of Veterans Affairs in complex or sensitive civil litigation and administrative proceedings involving a wide variety of legal analysis.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Ultimately, the Mariners took care of business in the 10th inning and won the contest 5-4, handing Baltimore its fourth loss in a row.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
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The young officer in the court was even more generous, handing me a badge that granted me access not only to the press room but also to the courtroom.—
Kaya Genç,
The Dial,
9 June 2026
Verb
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The Frontex patrol boat sank off the tiny Greek island of Kastellorizo after capsizing, the coast guard said.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
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Operators of another boat happened to be on the phone with the Coast Guard checking conditions in the inlet and reported the vessel, the Moonstruck, capsizing, according to The Coastland Times.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In October, however, the school district sent a follow-up message, reversing course on its previous statement.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Dec. 2025
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In Orban’s conservative view, this would mean preserving the single European market but reversing deeper European political integration and maintaining an equal distance from China and the United States.—
Ivan Krastev,
Foreign Affairs,
27 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Turning over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20over. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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