as in main
coming before all others in importance
the overriding question is how we will pay for this hurricane cleanup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in vetoing
to make (something) no longer valid
Don't let the anticipatory anxiety override your excitement about starting grad school. Upper management reserves the right to override any decisions made by supervisors.
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in smashing
to knock down and drive over
They overrode the picket fence with their pickup in a hasty but effective escape.
Related Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of overriding
Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 20 May 2025
While the future of the Iranian nuclear program and expanding the Abraham Accords dominate the agenda, there is an overriding strategic imperative behind Trump’s visit.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Macron’s overriding message was that France and its European allies needed to become more self-reliant in terms of their military defense, across the chain of financing it, manufacturing arms and equipment and operations on the ground.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overriding
Adjective
But there’s an overriding sense of moral emptiness and a whiff of sulfur.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 20 May 2025
While the future of the Iranian nuclear program and expanding the Abraham Accords dominate the agenda, there is an overriding strategic imperative behind Trump’s visit.
—Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Verb
No one else has sent astronauts to the moon, the overriding goal of NASA’s Artemis program.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2025
Macron’s overriding message was that France and its European allies needed to become more self-reliant in terms of their military defense, across the chain of financing it, manufacturing arms and equipment and operations on the ground.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overriding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overriding
Adjective
-
When the United States launched a war against Mexico in 1846, for example, a main legal justification was Mexico’s unpaid debts.—
Oona A. Hathaway,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
-
Harper isn’t devoid of faults, with the two main ones being his defensive focus and inconsistent jump-shooting.—
Kambui Bomani,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
Disclosure data shows that more than a dozen lawyers and paralegals with the New York Legal Assistance Group made cash contributions to Mamdani’s campaign ahead of the primary election.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
29 June 2025
-
The second floor has the primary suite, which is large and has a private balcony that overlooks the grounds.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
Rivera is especially excited by the National Music Theater Conference this year since truly original work is developed there in contrast to the predominant commercial theater trend of basing musicals closely on classic movies or novels.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
29 June 2025
-
That is clearly what happened in this redistricting in Louisiana where race was the predominant factor used to draw congressional boundaries.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
In December 2023, Congress passed a National Defense Authorization Act that aimed to block any president from unilaterally withdrawing from NATO without approval from the Senate or an act of Congress.—
Andy Biggs,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Diddy is expected to return to court on March 17 and will spend the holiday season behind bars after withdrawing his appeal for bail.—
Emma Aerin Becker,
People.com,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Kurland and his wife, Sue, were kicking tires on a recent Saturday, looking to replace their Prius models.—
The Orange County Register,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2025
-
What to Know Prince William joined in a soccer match during his visit to the young people's steering group, kicking a ball about with elementary school aged pupils from English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School and Princes Primary School.—
Joel Thayer,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Project 2025 also calls for resetting the composition of the EPA’s advisory boards – and even suspending some of them.—
Eric Nost,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Part of his immigration plan involves suspending the nation’s refugee program, according to The New York Times.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The past two years made clear that Israel, with U.S. help, is the dominant military force.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
28 June 2025
-
Yang said the hybrid ants have become the explorers and front guard for the fire ant invasion into colder and more northerly areas, becoming the dominant fire ant species in the upper elevations of Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.—
Gareth McGrath,
USA Today,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
The situation has created tension in the arts community, with some artists canceling appearances while others have used their performances to make political statements.—
Kevin Sabet,
Newsweek,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Now, the administration is cancelling visas and taking green card holders into custody explicitly due to their political speech, which the secretary of state is personally evaluating for adherence to foreign policy goals.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overriding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overriding. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share