as in to reject
to decide that (something or someone) is wrong; to rule against (something or someone)
The judge overruled the objection. His conviction was overruled by the supreme court.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar 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 overrule
After reports that Slater opposed the settlement but was overruled by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Democrats seized on it as an example of political interference from Trump-supporting lobbyists.
—
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Bae’s ruling addressed several of the core issues raised by the city — among them Simonds’ secondary review of the signatures and ability to overrule the registrar of voters’ determination — and concluded in favor of the Association for the City of La Jolla.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
Any amendments that pass could be vetoed by Johnson and then, later, overruled by a council vote.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025
The administration argued in a Monday evening filing the second order should also be overruled given both lower court orders relied on the same legal reasoning.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrule
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Bae’s ruling addressed several of the core issues raised by the city — among them Simonds’ secondary review of the signatures and ability to overrule the registrar of voters’ determination — and concluded in favor of the Association for the City of La Jolla.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Oct. 2025
Any amendments that pass could be vetoed by Johnson and then, later, overruled by a council vote.
—David Clarey, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025
The administration argued in a Monday evening filing the second order should also be overruled given both lower court orders relied on the same legal reasoning.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overrule
Verb
-
And the British nations, as ever, remained aloof, England rejecting a late offer to step in for Austria.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Democrats are pushing to extend soon-to-expire health care tax credits and reverse earlier Medicaid cuts, but Republicans have rejected those proposals.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
On Wednesday, in documents obtained by Rolling Stone, a California superior court judge overseeing the lawsuit ruled in favor of Kardashian and the anti-SLAPP motion, effectively dismissing the other Cantu’s lawsuit, though the judge left open the possibility of an appeal.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This company’s approach to pest control begins with a philosophy that dismisses the business-as-usual assumptions.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Despite vocal support from Aspire Capitol Heights families and a concerted effort from school leaders to prove that the school’s fiscal and academic issues could be solved, the board voted 4-1 to deny the school’s charter renewal.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
My mother has been denied access to medical care, the right to speak, and every basic human freedom.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The world’s diplomats must refuse to seat or recognise Min Aung Hlaing or his representatives at any summit or ministerial meeting.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Some of the girls were hired as servants in the homes of higher-status Burghers, though Rustin refused on principle to consider it.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The peace declaration included a commitment to withdraw heavy weapons from the border, de-mining efforts, and to de-escalate tensions that erupted into the brief but deadly border conflict.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
-
In addition, he was allegedly caught on camera by bank security withdrawing approximately $50,000 in cash from a bank on June 27, 2025.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The same is true of Guiteau’s eventual imprisonment and trial, which aren’t ignored but barely touch on the wackiness that actually ensued.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
-
There were extremely rich philosophical traditions in the non-Western world that your great books classes completely ignore.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Overrule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrule. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share