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

Voters in a 1986 retention election rejected Rose Bird, the chief justice of the California Supreme Court, and two liberal colleagues, over dissatisfaction with decisions overturning numerous death penalty sentences. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026

He was initially convicted in 2020, but an appeals court overturned that verdict. —ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026

Noun

Their 43% overturn rate is the eighth-worst mark in the league, and that includes starting the season 11-for-13. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026

The suit seeks court damages and the overturn of the commission’s ruling. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 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