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Definition of "overturn" []

  • To cause to turn over or capsize; upset. (verb-transitive)
  • To cause the ruin or destruction of; overthrow. See Synonyms at overthrow. (verb-transitive)
  • Law To invalidate or reverse (a decision) by legal means: "his continuing legal battles to overturn a draft-evasion conviction” ( Robert Lipsyte). (verb-transitive)
  • To turn over or capsize. (verb-intransitive)
  • The act or process of overturning. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "overturn" in a sentence
  • "(The dissent did not address this issue, as the dissenting justices would have granted relief on the Miranda claim.) Interestingly enough, because today’s decision was 5 – 4, if one ignores Berghuis v. Thompkins, the Sixth Circuit appears to be more of an outlier, as the combined vote to overturn is habeas decisions would be33 – 3."
  • "I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Obama and the Democrats (sounds like a bad Afghani doo-wop band) push the healthcare issue to the supreme court in an attempt to "overturn" the laws of economics and supply and demand."
  • "Bush rushed to judgment in 2000 based on incomplete results and the media immediately started treating him like the victor and Democratic efforts to count all the votes as efforts to "overturn" the election."