verb

overturn

oh-vuh-TURN

verb

To flip something over, or to cause a vehicle to roll onto its side or roof.

"The boat overturned in the storm."

"The lorry overturned on the icy road."

To reverse an official decision, ruling, or law.

"The appeals court overturned the earlier verdict."

"Parliament voted to overturn the previous ruling."

How to Use Overturn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo flip physically, or to cancel and reverse a decision.

Common pairings

overturn a verdict overturn a decision car overturned

overturned past tense, overturns plural, overturns singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The boat _____ in the storm.

From Middle English overturnen, formed from over- + turn.