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

If Amtrak, whose Biden-era CEO, Steve Gardner, was fired by Duffy and Trump, doesn’t want to make the smart choice, Duffy and Trump will have to overrule the federal railway monopoly. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025

But the White House is also not ruling out using what's known as impoundment to overrule Congress' spending decisions. —Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR, 2 May 2025

Since then, the Court has handed down case after case overruling previous religion decisions, usually to the benefit of the Christian right. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 30 Apr. 2025

During the decisive fifth set of that year’s French Open final, a second serve from Carlos Alcaraz was called out by a line judge, but the chair umpire came down and overruled. —Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overrule

• minuscule
• molecule
• poiseuille
• reticule
• ridicule
• vestibule
• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool

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