overrule

verb

over·​rule ˌō-vər-ˈrül How to pronounce overrule (audio)
ˌō-və-
overruled; overruling; overrules

transitive verb

1
: to rule over : govern
2
: to prevail over : overcome
3
a
: to rule against
b
: to set aside : reverse

Examples of overrule in a Sentence

The judge overruled the objection. His conviction was overruled by the supreme court.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Except, the line judge calls it out and the referee immediately overrules it. Todd Boss, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024 In May, a federal court in Sydney ruled that he could be extradited, overruling pleas from Duggan and his family, including his wife and six children in Australia. Brad Dress, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2024 The judge overruled the hearsay objection and allowed the redacted email to be introduced. Jim Talamonti | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Dec. 2024 Photograph by Diego Ibarra Sánchez / NYT / Redux There was a story in ProPublica last week that Blinken had overruled a State Department bureau and U.S.A.I.D., which both reported that Israel was deliberately blocking aid to Gaza. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for overrule 

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overrule was in 1576

Dictionary Entries Near overrule

Cite this Entry

“Overrule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overrule. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

overrule

verb
over·​rule -ˈrül How to pronounce overrule (audio)
1
: to decide against
the judge overruled the objection
2
: to reverse or set aside (a decision or ruling made by a lesser authority)

Legal Definition

overrule

transitive verb
over·​rule ˌō-vər-ˈrül How to pronounce overrule (audio)
1
: to rule against
the objection was overruled
compare sustain
2
a
: to rule against upon review by virtue of a higher authority : set aside, reverse
the appeals court overruled the trial court's decision
b
: to set aside as a precedent or guide
did not intend to overrule prior jurisprudence in that area
refused to overrule the landmark case
compare follow

More from Merriam-Webster on overrule

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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