supermajority
noun
su·per·ma·jor·i·ty
ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē 
-ˌjär-
plural supermajorities
: a majority (such as two-thirds or three-fifths) that is greater than a simple majority
treaty ratification requires a supermajority
Furthermore, it is about even money that soon after Congress convenes in January it will … approve a constitutional amendment to require supermajorities (three-fifths) in both houses of Congress to approve deficit spending.—
George F. Will
George F. WillThe company, for instance, has a supermajority clause in its articles of incorporation; 80% of the shareholders must approve any sale or merger.—Joshua Hyatt
Joshua Hyatt
Examples of supermajority in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The GOP supermajority ultimately voted down efforts by Democrats to delay or amend the legislation.
—Melissa Noel, Essence, 4 Apr. 2024
Lawmakers who oppose changing the supermajority have said there should be a high threshold to impose taxes on a community.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2024
The city accepted a protest petition from opponents, which required a supermajority of the City Council, 75%, to approve the rezoning.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
The Republican Study Committee, the House GOP’s largest caucus, representing a supermajority of Republican members, released a budget Wednesday that went further.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
The idea of a tax cut that’s equal across the board has little support among the chamber’s Democratic supermajority, despite being one of the Democratic governor’s longtime goals.
—Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2024
The teachers believe the state constitution requires a two-thirds vote to pass any bill that adds new taxes, but SB1 failed to meet that standard, passing without a supermajority (25-15 in the Assembly and 13-8 in the Senate).
—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
That means 2024 elections will go forward with a map experts say will help Republicans retain a supermajority in the state legislature that can block North Carolina’s Democratic governor from vetoing bills.
—Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
The former Democrat made headlines in 2023 for switching to the Republican Party, giving the GOP a veto-proof supermajority in Raleigh.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024
Melissa Noel, Essence, 4 Apr. 2024
Lawmakers who oppose changing the supermajority have said there should be a high threshold to impose taxes on a community.
—Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2024
The city accepted a protest petition from opponents, which required a supermajority of the City Council, 75%, to approve the rezoning.
—Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
The Republican Study Committee, the House GOP’s largest caucus, representing a supermajority of Republican members, released a budget Wednesday that went further.
—Jacob Bogage, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024
The idea of a tax cut that’s equal across the board has little support among the chamber’s Democratic supermajority, despite being one of the Democratic governor’s longtime goals.
—Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2024
The teachers believe the state constitution requires a two-thirds vote to pass any bill that adds new taxes, but SB1 failed to meet that standard, passing without a supermajority (25-15 in the Assembly and 13-8 in the Senate).
—Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
That means 2024 elections will go forward with a map experts say will help Republicans retain a supermajority in the state legislature that can block North Carolina’s Democratic governor from vetoing bills.
—Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2024
The former Democrat made headlines in 2023 for switching to the Republican Party, giving the GOP a veto-proof supermajority in Raleigh.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'supermajority.' 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
1915, in the meaning defined above
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Dictionary Entries Near supermajority
Cite this Entry
“Supermajority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supermajority. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Legal Definition
supermajority
noun
su·per·ma·jor·i·ty
ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē
: a large majority
a provision requiring a supermajority vote — say, 80 % of the common shares instead of the usual bare majority rule—R. C. Clark
R. C. ClarkLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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