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
Bob KatzExamples of overarching in a Sentence
Computer downtime is an overarching problem in all departments.
Recent Examples on the Web
The overarching idea, which brands like Adidas have played with to varying degrees of success, is that making everything out of a single material eliminates the need to strip castoff garments of fiddly buttons and zippers, a time-consuming and often expensive process.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 5 Jan. 2026
Its overarching theme is letting go and learning from pain.
—Audrey Gibbs, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Some overarching thought beginning there in those blue eyes.
—David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Bardot’s overarching legacy may not be as easy to define as her personal style.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
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Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 5 Jan. 2026
Its overarching theme is letting go and learning from pain.
—Audrey Gibbs, USA Today, 1 Jan. 2026
Some overarching thought beginning there in those blue eyes.
—David Searcy, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Bardot’s overarching legacy may not be as easy to define as her personal style.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overarching
Cite this Entry
“Overarching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overarching. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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