overriding

1 of 2

adjective

over·​rid·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈrī-diŋ 

ˌō-və-

: chief, principal

an overriding concern

overriding

2 of 2

present participle of override entry 1

Synonyms of overriding

Adjective

• main
• primary
• greatest
• predominant
• highest
• dominant
• foremost

Examples of overriding in a Sentence

Adjective

We have one overriding concern.

The weather is the overriding factor in deciding whether to cancel the picnic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Corral’s overriding belief is that quality, awards-chasing, festival-style fare can – and should – also be mainstream. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2026

Its history suggests that when Musk makes something an overriding priority, things happen quickly. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026

SpaceX's Starship is way too big to dock and Musk has moon and Mars travel as the company's overriding goals. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

But when one party’s primary can, in practice, determine who will govern millions of Floridians, the public has an overriding interest in ensuring that meaningful participation does not depend on political identity. — Ethan Hicks, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1830, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for overriding

• coinciding
• subdividing
• abiding
• backsliding
• colliding
• confiding
• deciding
• deriding
• dividing
• nitriding
• presiding
• providing