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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of turning over
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
Val Chmerkovskiy reveals diagnosis BPPV causes brief periods of dizziness and is often set off by changes in the head's position, like lying down, turning over or sitting up in bed, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 4 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
Ax’s piano sneaks in as a junior partner, politely turning over its concerto to a colleague.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Val Chmerkovskiy reveals diagnosis BPPV causes brief periods of dizziness and is often set off by changes in the head's position, like lying down, turning over or sitting up in bed, according to the Mayo Clinic.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 4 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
Ax’s piano sneaks in as a junior partner, politely turning over its concerto to a colleague.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for turning over
Verb
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While that new detail is likely to please debt holders, who had proposed that current shareholders inject 8 billion reais, the company rejected other changes sought by creditors, including relinquishing control of the board.—
Rachel Gamarski,
Bloomberg,
26 Apr. 2026
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Tarrant County commissioners unanimously decided on Tuesday to put about a quarter mile of road up for sale in hopes of relinquishing control over the stretch.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On Saturday, April 25, Banderas, 65, and Griffith, 68, were spotted leaving Beverly Hills sushi restaurant Matsuhisa arm-in-arm after enjoying dinner together.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The complementary conditioner dials up the moisture with shea butter, murumuru butter, and amino acids to smooth and strengthen—leaving hair soft, bouncy, and ready for styling.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After a string of Democratic special-election wins across the country, Democrats have been bullish about flipping seats in Florida.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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Just to recap, Dach had the puck in overtime in the neutral zone but failed to gain the red line before flipping the puck down the ice to get a change, being forced to stay on the ice when that puck crossed the Lightning goal line for an icing.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Over the past decade, Pau has created a series of media installations about the bauhinia, exploring different methods of rendering scientific data as sound and light.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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Charging from the back of the pack and down the stretch to win the Derby, Golden Tempo made history for DeVaux, taking her breath away in the process and rendering her nearly speechless.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
2 May 2026
Verb
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In an interview with Beauty Inc published last September, the reality star spoke about eventually handing the reins to her daughter Stormi Webster, now 8, one day.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
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Viewers flooded the clip with reactions, and many were especially moved by the woman’s decision to cool the french fry down before handing it over to the dog.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Garcia Torres’ appellate attorney who secured the ruling overturning the conviction also did not respond to messages seeking comment.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
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Election law experts contend that the scenario of Republicans successfully overturning election results is unlikely, with legal remedies available to prevent stalling and ensure certification of results by January 3 when the new Congress convenes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The stock has dropped 23% so far this year, reversing course after a climb of just over 64% in 2025.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
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Emergency stopping trials evaluate how quickly the ship can halt by reversing propulsion from full speed ahead.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Sheehan responded by turning in his best performance of the season, but the bullpen faltered in the Dodgers’ 6-4 loss to the red-hot Cubs, who won their 10th in a row.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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In May 2025, CACC posted pictures to its social media pages showing lines of people turning in stray animals or surrendering their pets to city shelters.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Turning over.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/turning%20over. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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