Overturn: meaning, definitions and examples

Best used in legal or formal contexts when a decision, ruling, or law is changed or reversed, often by a higher authority.

• The Supreme Court decided to overturn the lower court's ruling.
• The council voted to overturn the previous decision.

Often used in both formal and informal contexts to indicate changing something to the opposite position or state, or undoing a decision or process.

• The management decided to reverse the policy after receiving numerous complaints.
• He reversed his decision to move abroad after considering the impact on his family.

Used to indicate making something legally void or canceling its value or effect, often in a formal legal context.

• The new law will nullify previous agreements that contradict its provisions.
• The cancellation of the event nullified months of planning and preparation.

Typically used when something, such as a document, decision, or agreement, is declared legally void or not effective.

• The judge decided to invalidate the contract due to fraudulent terms.
• His passport was invalidated after he was found guilty of forgery.

Used mostly in legal or political settings to indicate that a decision or ruling has been reversed. Can also describe physical objects flipping over in accidents or disruptions.

• The court decided to overturn the previous verdict
• The car overturned after hitting a patch of ice

Usually applied when something is turned on its end, causing a significant change or disruption. Can be used metaphorically to indicate major life or situational changes.

• The strong wind almost upended the boat
• The new policy could upend the entire industry

Commonly used to describe small-scale incidents where objects fall over or spill due to being unbalanced or nudged.

• Be careful with that vase; it might tip over
• The child's toy tipped over and made a loud noise

Often used in scientific or technical contexts to describe turning something upside down or inside out. It is also used to describe changes in the order or arrangement of things.

• To create the correct reaction, you need to invert the test tube
• The equation can be inverted to solve for the variable