overrule

verb

over·​rule ˌō-vər-ˈrül 

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

However, the proposition was overruled by the San Francisco Superior Court, which said gun ownership should be regulated at the state level. —Donovan A. Watts, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024

His assessment was overruled by the state Supreme Court in March, allowing organizers to collect signatures for the amendment. —Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Aug. 2024

Irvine councilmembers overruled the ALUC and approved the first reading of the zoning change Tuesday without deliberation. —Jonathan Horwitz, Orange County Register, 10 Oct. 2024

If the Oklahoma court is right about this point, that precludes the Supreme Court from hearing the case, because the US Supreme Court typically cannot overrule a state’s highest court on a question of state law. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

overrule

verb

over·​rule -ˈrül 

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 

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