overturn
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to cause (something) to turn onto its side, face, or back; upset.
to overturn a vase.
-
to destroy the power or validity of; overthrow; defeat: The new findings have not overturned the theory itself.
The conspiracy finally overturned the regime.
The new findings have not overturned the theory itself.
- Synonyms:
- conquer
-
to reverse (an official or legal decision).
Rather than accept defeat, the company filed a complaint in federal appeals court to overturn the ruling.
verb (used without object)
noun
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the act of overturning.
-
the state of being overturned.
verb
-
to turn or cause to turn from an upright or normal position
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(tr) to overthrow or destroy
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(tr) to invalidate; reverse
the bill was passed in the Commons but overturned in the Lords
noun
Synonym Usage
See upset.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has overturnedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have overturnedperfect
-
have been overturningperfect progressive
-
are overturningprogressive
-
am overturningprogressive 1st person singular
-
has been overturningperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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overturnssingular 3rd person
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is overturningprogressive 3rd person singular
-
overturningparticiple
Past
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had overturnedperfect
-
was overturningprogressive singular
-
had been overturningperfect progressive
-
overturnedsimple
-
were overturningprogressive plural
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overturnedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of overturn
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English; see origin at over-, turn
Explanation
To overturn something is to either flip it upside down or to invalidate it. An amateur kayaker might overturn her boat, while a judge may decide to overturn a previous judgment. When you overturn a wheelbarrow or a tricycle, you literally turn it over. When judges overturn earlier rulings or voters overturn laws, they make them invalid, essentially reversing them. An earlier, more intense metaphorical meaning of this word was "violently overthrow a ruler or rulers." Overturn was originally used in the 13th century to describe a turning wheel.
Vocabulary lists containing overturn
Ban This Book
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This Week In Words: December 5–11, 2020
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From the Desk of Zoe Washington
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“It means that future city councils cannot overturn a data center ban, even if data center developers wanted to spend money to fund pro-data center candidates.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026
The government has defended the changes as seeking to overturn "intergenerational inequality" and help young people buy a home.
From Barron's • Jun. 1, 2026
The resistance efforts haven’t let up: A new grassroots organization called Box Elder Accountability Referendum filed for a process to allow voters to overturn the commission’s approval.
From Slate • Jun. 1, 2026
It is rare for regulators to drop lawsuits or overturn their predecessors’ enforcement decisions.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026
I overturn my hamper and riffle through dirty clothes and sheets, looking for the pants I wore four days ago.
From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
