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
Verb
If there had been a life ring at the end of the line, it had been lost when the boat all but overturned. Orval C. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024 Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Democrats have successfully campaigned on protecting these rights while portraying Republicans as seeking an all-out federal pan on the procedure. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
Noun
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 Texas, following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, had banned all abortions, except to save the life of the pregnant patient or prevent serious physical impairment. Fiorella Valdesolo, Allure, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overturn 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overturn.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 5 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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