Skip to main content
to overturn

to overturn

122 5.6
Officially cancel a decision or law
  • verb
  • /ˌoʊvərˈtɜrn/
  • Formal
translation icon : anular
  • The justices also voted unanimously to overturn a ruling by the 2nd Circuit based in New York.
  • overturn a decision
  • overturn a court decision
  • overturn a ruling

Now, technically, Congress could just overturn Donald Trump's veto.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • A Federal Reserve decision on monetary policy can, in principle, be overturned by an act of Congress.

    Academic text (1997)
  • - In civil cases, the law gives the judge the power to overturn the jury verdict.

  • I will not overturn the result of the referendum, nor will I break up my country.

  • You know, the Supreme Court overturned the Defense of Marriage Act.

  • They were able to overturn the initial conviction.

  • But the case was appealed, and the ban was overturned by federal courts.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The 'employable mother' rule has been included among the state welfare laws overturned by the courts.

    Academic text (1995)
  • A week after the balloting, the Supreme Court handed down a decision overturning the election.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • When passed, it overturned an earlier California Supreme Court ruling that had allowed same-sex couples to marry.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The Supreme Court decided to overturn the law that restricted voting rights.

Synonyms

to lift
vsto overturn
255 4.2

To officially end a rule or restriction

is focused on higher authority reversal rather than simply ending a restriction
to repeal
vsto overturn
  • Formal
143 4.3

To cancel a law or rule so it no longer applies

is used when a higher authority cancels or reverses a decision
to reverse
vsto overturn
  • Formal
109 4.9

To officially cancel a previous decision, especially by a court

is used when a higher authority cancels or reverses a decision
to undo
vsto overturn
102 2.6

Cancel the effect of an action or decision

is used when an official higher authority reverses or cancels a decision
to override
vsto overturn
96 6.7

To cancel a rule or decision because something else is more important

is focused on reversal by a higher authority rather than general importance
to revoke
vsto overturn
  • Formal
96 6.2

Officially stop something from being valid, for example a license

is used when a higher authority cancels or reverses a decision
to overrule
vsto overturn
  • Formal
89 5.7

To reject a decision or objection because someone else has more power

is broader, applying to higher authority reversal rather than only objections
to rescind
vsto overturn
  • Formal
44 7.9

Officially cancel a law, order, or agreement

is used when a higher authority cancels or reverses a decision
to vacate
vsto overturn
  • Formal
15 6.6

Cancel an official decision so it is no longer in effect

is used when a higher authority cancels or reverses a decision
to quash
vsto overturn
  • Formal
11 8.1

Officially say a decision or order is not valid

is used when a higher authority cancels or reverses a decision
to abrogate
vsto overturn
  • Formal
10 8.8

To officially cancel a law, agreement, or right

is used when a higher authority cancels or reverses a decision
to countermand
vsto overturn
  • Formal
6 9.2

To cancel or reverse an earlier order

is broader, applying to higher authority reversal beyond commands
to annul
vsto overturn
  • Formal
6 6.3

Officially say that a law, contract, or marriage is no longer valid

is used when a higher authority cancels or reverses a decision
to disannul
vsto overturn
  • Formal
9.3

To cancel an earlier decision that said something was not valid so it becomes valid again

is used when a higher authority cancels or reverses a decision

Antonyms

1.8

To show that something is true by giving evidence

176 4.4

To support and keep a law, decision, or belief in effect

How Reversed

to overturn
  • Formal
122 5.6
to annul
  • Formal
6 6.3
to reverse
  • Formal
109 4.9
to modify
268 3.2
to uphold
176 4.4

Surface Forms

overturn infinitive
overturned past
overturned past participle
overturning present participle
overturns third person singular

Morphology

overturn = turn (semi-transparent) = over + turn

The structure 'over-' + 'turn' is clear, but the legal sense 'reverse or cancel a decision' is an abstract/figurative extension that learners may not infer from the physical meaning alone.

Etymology

Overturn comes from over- ('completely') plus turn ('to change or move to the other side'). That's why when a court or authority overturns a decision it 'turns it the other way' and cancels or reverses it.