was overturned by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was overturned by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a decision, ruling, or situation has been reversed or annulled by someone or something. Example: "The previous ruling was overturned by the higher court, leading to a new trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the event it was overturned by a single vote.

The Economist

That process was overturned by the higher court on Tuesday.

The New York Times

(The firm's subsequent conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court).

The New York Times

Too bad it was overturned by the 21st".

The New York Times - Arts

Judge Martini was overturned by a federal appeals court.

The New York Times

Won an early penalty that was overturned by VAR.

The Guardian - Sport

Eventually the magistrates' decision was overturned by a crown court.

The Guardian - Opinion

The ruling was overturned by two Federal appellate courts.

The New York Times

It was overturned by the supreme court last year.

The Guardian

However, this decision was overturned by the NHS.

The Guardian

In 1997 this was overturned by the House of Lords.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was overturned by" when you want to emphasize that a prior decision, ruling, or system has been officially reversed or nullified by a specific entity or event. This highlights the agent of change.

Common error

Ensure the subject that "was overturned" is clearly defined. Vague subjects can lead to confusion about what exactly was reversed or invalidated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was overturned by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a previous decision, ruling, or state has been reversed or invalidated by an external agent. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was overturned by" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that indicates the reversal or invalidation of a prior decision or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. It serves to communicate a change in status, often emphasizing the authority or event responsible for the reversal. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "was reversed by" or "was nullified by" depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was reversed by

Emphasizes the act of changing something to its opposite state or condition.

was nullified by

Highlights the act of making something legally void or ineffective.

was invalidated by

Focuses on proving something to be without legal or factual basis.

was rescinded by

Indicates the cancellation or repeal of a law, order, or agreement.

was repealed by

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

was set aside by

Implies the act of rejecting or disregarding a previous decision or judgment.

was overruled by

Often used in legal contexts to indicate that a higher court reversed a lower court's decision.

was supplanted by

Highlights the replacement of something with something else, often implying an improvement.

was undone by

Focuses on the cancellation of an action or decision.

was negated by

Emphasizes the act of making something ineffective or null.

FAQs

How can I use "was overturned by" in a sentence?

Use "was overturned by" to indicate that a decision, ruling, or outcome has been reversed or invalidated by a specific authority or event. For example, "The lower court's decision "was overturned by" the Supreme Court".

What are some alternatives to "was overturned by"?

Alternatives include "was reversed by", "was nullified by", or "was invalidated by". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "was overturned by" or "was reversed by"?

While both phrases are similar, "was overturned by" often implies a more formal or official reversal, such as in a legal or political context. "Was reversed by" can be used more broadly. Choose based on the level of formality required.

What does it mean when a decision "was overturned by" a higher court?

It means that the higher court reviewed the lower court's decision and found it to be incorrect or invalid, thereby reversing the original ruling. The higher court's decision then becomes the binding one.