overrule
verb
over·rule
ˌō-vər-ˈrül 
ˌō-və-
overruled; overruling; overrules
Examples of overrule in a Sentence
The judge overruled the objection.
His conviction was overruled by the supreme court.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Supreme Court historically refuses to overrule state courts’ interpretations of state constitutions, making Democrats’ legal challenge an unlikely success even in this heated redistricting battle.
—
Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Democrats were dealt another blow on Friday when the Virginia Supreme Court overruled a referendum that voters narrowly approved in April to alter their congressional map, which could have sent up to four additional Democratic members to Congress.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Makary and his deputies have also regularly overruled career staff, often with nakedly political motives.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 10 May 2026
Residents have taken to the streets in recent days to protest the impending arrival of the MV Hondius to the Canary Islands, after the Spanish government overruled local leaders to grant permission for the ship to anchor offshore Sunday.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for overrule
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Lindsay Whitehurst, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026
Democrats were dealt another blow on Friday when the Virginia Supreme Court overruled a referendum that voters narrowly approved in April to alter their congressional map, which could have sent up to four additional Democratic members to Congress.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Makary and his deputies have also regularly overruled career staff, often with nakedly political motives.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 10 May 2026
Residents have taken to the streets in recent days to protest the impending arrival of the MV Hondius to the Canary Islands, after the Spanish government overruled local leaders to grant permission for the ship to anchor offshore Sunday.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for overrule
Cite this Entry
“Overrule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overrule. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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