# overturn

/ˈoʊvɝˌtɝn/ (US) · /ˌəʊvətˈɜːn/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/overturn
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

a decision by a court or authority to cancel a previous rule or judgment. It means the old decision is no longer valid and has been replaced.

For teachers: the invalidation or reversal of a previous legal decision, ruling, or precedent by a higher authority. Often used in the context of appellate courts or legislative bodies.

## Examples

- The court announced the overturn of the previous ruling.
- Legal experts were surprised by the sudden overturn of the environmental law by the supreme court.
- The unexpected overturn of the lower court's decision sent shockwaves through the legal community, effectively reversing decades of established judicial precedent regarding property rights.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in legal and political contexts; often followed by the preposition 'of'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.