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 Eventually, his father’s employer essentially overruled the insurer and allowed coverage. Tom Murphy, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024 Judges at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied Labrador’s request to overrule that ban late last month. Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 21 Feb. 2024 Charlotte Cowles shared how scammers pretending to be from Amazon, the Federal Trade Commission and the Central Intelligence Agency frightened her so badly that all her usual skepticism was overruled. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 21 Feb. 2024 Another blow was dealt to the classically gatekeeping, racist, and classist higher-ed system in the nation when affirmative action was overruled this past summer. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024 No federal law applies to Texas, but Texas can overrule individual liberties and neighboring state laws? Dean Minnich, Baltimore Sun, 3 Feb. 2024 In 2017, Alabama stopped allowing judges to overrule death penalty juries in such a way, and such rulings are no longer allowed anywhere in the United States. Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2024 During the trial, Householder's team accused Black of tying their hands by overruling so many of their objections. Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2024 In 2015, the NLRB blocked Northwestern football players’ efforts to form a union overruling a 2014 decision by the board’s regional director. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overrule.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 29 Mar. 2024.

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

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