supermajority
noun
su·per·ma·jor·i·ty
ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē 
-ˌjär-
plural supermajorities
: a majority (such as two-thirds or three-fifths) that is greater than a simple majority
treaty ratification requires a supermajority
Furthermore, it is about even money that soon after Congress convenes in January it will … approve a constitutional amendment to require supermajorities (three-fifths) in both houses of Congress to approve deficit spending.—
George F. Will
George F. WillThe company, for instance, has a supermajority clause in its articles of incorporation; 80% of the shareholders must approve any sale or merger.—Joshua Hyatt
Joshua HyattExamples of supermajority in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gavin Newsom and Sacramento Democrats did exactly that with Proposition 50, stripping an independent redistricting commission of its authority and replacing it with maps drawn by the Democratic supermajority designed to gain a partisan advantage.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
After a contentious four-hour-plus hearing, the city planning and zoning board voted 5-4 in support of a list of zoning waivers and exceptions that county officials say are essential for the project to move forward, but that was one vote short of the six-vote supermajority required for approval.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026
Some observers have predicted a faint possibility of two Republicans advancing, sparking calls from Democratic leaders for lower-polling candidates to drop out so the party could maintain its legislative and executive supermajority.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
The state’s Democratic supermajority needs practical legislators who are willing and able to make hard choices.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for supermajority
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Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2026
After a contentious four-hour-plus hearing, the city planning and zoning board voted 5-4 in support of a list of zoning waivers and exceptions that county officials say are essential for the project to move forward, but that was one vote short of the six-vote supermajority required for approval.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 8 May 2026
Some observers have predicted a faint possibility of two Republicans advancing, sparking calls from Democratic leaders for lower-polling candidates to drop out so the party could maintain its legislative and executive supermajority.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026
The state’s Democratic supermajority needs practical legislators who are willing and able to make hard choices.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for supermajority
Cite this Entry
“Supermajority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supermajority. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
supermajority
noun
su·per·ma·jor·i·ty
ˈsü-pər-mə-ˌjȯr-ə-tē
: a large majority
a provision requiring a supermajority vote — say, 80 % of the common shares instead of the usual bare majority rule—R. C. Clark
R. C. ClarkLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
