overturn

[oh-ver-turn, oh-ver-turn]

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

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

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• overturnable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of overturn¹

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

Synonym Study

See upset.

Example Sentences

The Free Speech Union said that the overturning of the conviction sent a message that "anti-religious protests, however offensive to true believers, must be tolerated".

Read more on BBC

A judge ordered his deportation after his first conviction overturned his legal residency, but he remained in the United States because Cuba often does not accept deportees, lawyers said.

Read more on Barron's

James's office said it would appeal against the overturned penalty.

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A growing proportion of abortions in the U.S. are provided using telemedicine—including for women in states that have banned nearly all abortions since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The state Supreme Court later overturned her ruling.

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Related Words

• annul 
• capsize 
• invalidate 
• nullify 
• repeal 
• rescind 
• reverse 
• set aside 
• topple 
• void