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
Twenty-one members of the Republican supermajority and all 10 Democrats in the chamber voted against the redistricting proposal, which was expected to give the GOP two more seats in the state.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Of the 31 no votes, 21 were from the Republican supermajority and all 10 of the chamber’s Democrats.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 11 Dec. 2025
For Democrats, building back a beleaguered party against a Republican party that holds every statewide office and holds a supermajority in the state Legislature is a massive lift that one December election is unlikely to change.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 10 Dec. 2025
Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, has repeatedly said his chamber doesn't have the votes to pass a new map, despite Republicans holding a supermajority in the chamber.
—Kaitlin Lange, IndyStar, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for supermajority
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Of the 31 no votes, 21 were from the Republican supermajority and all 10 of the chamber’s Democrats.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 11 Dec. 2025
For Democrats, building back a beleaguered party against a Republican party that holds every statewide office and holds a supermajority in the state Legislature is a massive lift that one December election is unlikely to change.
—Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 10 Dec. 2025
Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, has repeatedly said his chamber doesn't have the votes to pass a new map, despite Republicans holding a supermajority in the chamber.
—Kaitlin Lange, IndyStar, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for supermajority
Cite this Entry
“Supermajority.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/supermajority. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.
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
Share