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
-
the act of overturning.
-
the state of being overturned.
verb
-
to turn or cause to turn from an upright or normal position
-
(tr) to overthrow or destroy
-
(tr) to invalidate; reverse
the bill was passed in the Commons but overturned in the Lords
noun
Related Words
See upset.
Other Word Forms
- overturnable adjective
Etymology
Origin of overturn
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.
Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych has lost his bid to overturn an Olympic disqualification over his helmet decorated with tributes to Ukraine’s war dead.
From Los Angeles Times
Footage from the city of Bnei Brak showed the women running through streets strewn with rubbish and overturned bins as police officers formed a protective barrier.
From BBC
In September 2020, she and three other opposition activists won city council seats in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, helping overturn the ruling party's majority on the council.
From Barron's
Two overturned bicycles rested against the snow in the front yard.
From Barron's
Monday's rally took place just half an hour after protesters lost a legal bid to overturn the major powers designation.
From BBC
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.
