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

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

Yet Smith never treated short-term self-interest as the sole or overriding goal. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

The final overriding decision was therefore not simply a process of adjudicating biological facts, but a judgment about what classification might do. — Max Moser, STAT, 9 July 2026

The only overriding lesson may be that there are no overriding lessons. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 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