overturn

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'overturn' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an act of overturning or a reversal of something. For example, you can use it in a sentence like this: "The court's decision to overturn the previous laws created an uproar in the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Law

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brennan, currently a councillor in east Dundee, is seeking to overturn a majority of 1,821 held by the SNP's Stewart Hosie.

The Guardian

Victory would be a remarkable feat and make the SNP candidate for Paisley and Renfrewshire South the youngest ever MP, as well as overturn the 16,610 majority of one of Labour's biggest hitters in Scotland, shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander.

The Guardian

Arsenal's calamitous first-leg defeat had required them to become the first team in Champions League history to overturn a two-goal deficit away from home and this season's Bayern Munich are not known as the accommodating type.

The Guardian - Sport

Bamber's statement was released by those campaigning to overturn his conviction for killing five members of his family at a farmhouse in Essex in 1985.

The Guardian

A judge has praised the "diligent" work of law students for helping overturn a former gang member's murder conviction.

The Guardian

Sanders also repeated his determination to overturn the 2010 Citizens United supreme court decision, which gave rise to unrestrained spending on elections.

The Guardian

Attacking the executive's decision to accept a confidence motion given his election as Scottish leader last December with 56% of the vote, Murphy added: "The executive shouldn't take the opportunity to overturn a decision arrived at five months ago by thousands of Labour party members and thousands of trade unionists".

The Guardian

A lawsuit against Major League Baseball and The Major League Baseball Players Association has been filed by Rodriguez, one that seeks to overturn the suspension, allowing A-Rod to resume his playing career immediately.

The Guardian - Sport

There was a clear sign of the battle to come in Washington over the agreement, which Republicans have vowed to overturn.

The Guardian

This being Italy, however, the judicial errors are not necessarily a bad thing for Knox and Sollecito, because they give the Italian high court an opening – should the justices choose to take it – to overturn the latest conviction, and either dismiss the case, send it back to get the mistakes fixed, or order yet another trial in another court.

The Guardian - Opinion

They framed a narrative in which for Gore to reach the White House he would have to "overturn" the result – even though the result was uncertain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overturn" in legal contexts, ensure you specify what is being overturned, such as a verdict, decision, or law, to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "overturn" to describe simply tipping something over physically. While it can technically mean that, it's more commonly used in abstract senses like reversing a decision or law.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overturn" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being reversed or invalidated. Ludwig AI indicates this usage is correct and common, as seen in examples like "overturn the conviction" or "overturn the decision".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "overturn" is a versatile term primarily used to describe the reversal or invalidation of something, often in legal, political, or sporting contexts. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and Ludwig's examples show that it's very commonly found in news and media sources. When writing with "overturn", ensure the context appropriately reflects a reversal of an established decision or state, rather than a simple physical action. Related terms include "reverse", "repeal", and "rescind", each with slightly different nuances. Remember to specify what is being "overturned" to enhance clarity. With these tips in mind, you can effectively and accurately use the word "overturn" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reverse

Implies a change to an opposite direction or condition, similar to negating a previous state.

repeal

Specifically refers to the revocation or annulment of a law or act.

rescind

Indicates the cancellation or revocation of an agreement, order, or decision.

revoke

Suggests the cancellation or withdrawal of a decree, permit, or privilege.

invalidate

Means to make something null and void, especially legally.

overrule

Specifically means to reject or disallow by exercising one's authority.

nullify

Means to make legally null and void.

set aside

To cancel or annul a court order or judgment.

quash

To reject as invalid, especially by legal procedure.

subvert

Implies undermining the power and authority of an established system or institution.

FAQs

How is "overturn" typically used in a sentence?

The word "overturn" is generally used to describe the act of reversing or invalidating something, such as a legal decision or a political result. For example, "The court decided to "overturn" the previous verdict".

What words can I use in place of "overturn"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "reverse", "repeal", or "revoke" to express a similar meaning to "overturn".

Is it more accurate to say "overturn a decision" or "reverse a decision"?

Both "overturn a decision" and "reverse a decision" are correct and often interchangeable. However, "overturn" may carry a stronger connotation of authority or legal action.

What's the difference between "overturn" and "undermine"?

"Overturn" implies a direct and complete reversal, while "undermine" suggests a gradual weakening or erosion of something.