overarching

adjective

over·​arch·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈär-chiŋ 

1

: forming an arch overhead

an overarching bower

an overarching bridge

2

: dominating or embracing all else

overarching goals

overarching ambition

projects of overarching public benefit

—Bob Katz

Examples of overarching in a Sentence

Computer downtime is an overarching problem in all departments.

Recent Examples on the Web

But there isn’t yet much evidence to suggest that governors are strategically pursuing their own overarching vision in their selection of tracts, Fikri said. — Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Right now, the overarching incentive structure driving corporate AI deployment is strictly extractive. — Jason Dressel, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026

Its is the overarching mystery of this coming Miami Dolphins season, the delight waiting to happen and the risk looming — all at once, and all involving the most important position. — Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

The message — intended for medical regulators and licensed clinicians alike — was designed to be lofty and overarching, but balanced and practical. — Humayun Chaudhry, STAT, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1720, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overarching

• arching
• marching
• parching