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Synonyms

overturn

American  
[oh-ver-turn, oh-ver-turn] / ˌoʊ vərˈtɜrn, ˈoʊ vərˌtɜrn /

verb (used with object)

  1. to cause (something) to turn onto its side, face, or back; upset.

    to overturn a vase.

  2. 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
  3. 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)

  1. to turn onto its side, face, or back; capsize.

    When his canoe overturned, he lost scientific instruments and journals.

noun

  1. the act of overturning.

  2. the state of being overturned.

overturn British  

verb

  1. to turn or cause to turn from an upright or normal position

  2. (tr) to overthrow or destroy

  3. (tr) to invalidate; reverse

    the bill was passed in the Commons but overturned in the Lords

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act of overturning or the state of being overturned

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See upset.

Other Word Forms

  • overturnable adjective

Etymology

Origin of overturn

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English; over-, turn

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.

But after a lengthy VAR review, the referee overturned his decision to leave Milan's title hopes hanging by a thread.

From Barron's

Gobert had said after the game that he hoped the NBA would overturn the flagrant call on what he called "just an accident".

From Barron's

Her former regiment highlighted her bravery when attending to an overturned vehicle in the Falklands that left multiple Welsh Guards injured – which won her a commendation award.

From BBC

In late January, a Chinese tourist died after a car he was travelling overturned on the frozen surface of Lake Baikal.

From BBC

There was drama at the bobsleigh track when the Austrian four-man team overturned at high speed.

From Barron's