overturn

1 of 2

verb

over·​turn ˌō-vər-ˈtərn How to pronounce overturn (audio)
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 menOscar 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 How to pronounce overturn (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The fourth misfire was initially ruled a fumble that led to a Titans touchdown, but it was later overturned by video replay and ruled an incomplete pass. Elliott Teaford, Orange County Register, 10 Nov. 2024 The drive nearly ended a few plays earlier when Joe Burrow was picked off, but the potential interception was overturned to incomplete on replay. NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
Noun
That led to the overturn of Roe v. Wade and other conservative advances. Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024 In a bold statement on reproductive rights, especially given the controversial Supreme Court overturn of Roe vs. Wade back in 2022, Area collaborated with Tinder for its fall 2024 show this year. Kanika Talwar, WWD, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overturn 

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

Dictionary Entries Near overturn

Cite this Entry

“Overturn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overturn. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on overturn

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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