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
The appellate court's decision overrules a lower court judge who refused to dismiss Gary's lawsuit last year, leading gun manufacturers to appeal.
—
Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 29 Dec. 2025
As mayor, Higgins has no authority over the city bureaucracy but does have the power to hire and fire the city manager — provided she isn’t overruled by the City Commission.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
Those states — including Texas — would be able to enforce those bans if the precedent set by Obergefell is overruled.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 22 Dec. 2025
Anderson overruled him and gave it to SDSU.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrule
Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 29 Dec. 2025
As mayor, Higgins has no authority over the city bureaucracy but does have the power to hire and fire the city manager — provided she isn’t overruled by the City Commission.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 29 Dec. 2025
Those states — including Texas — would be able to enforce those bans if the precedent set by Obergefell is overruled.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 22 Dec. 2025
Anderson overruled him and gave it to SDSU.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overrule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overrule
Verb
-
Supervisors Shanti Landon, Anthony DeMattei and Suzanne Jones made up the three votes rejecting the loan.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Kaiser flatly rejects the notion that the strike is about anything other than reimbursement.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, a White House official dismissed speculation.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Continue reading … LEGAL LOOPHOLE – Luigi Mangione returns to court as judge weighs defense motion to dismiss death penalty charge.—
,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The philanthropic organization has denied any business partnership or personal relationship with Epstein.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The congresswoman has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but has not entered a plea in the criminal case.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
My comment addressed agitators approaching law enforcement with a gun and refusing to disarm.—
Bill Hutchinson,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Judge Marrus, however, refused to back down.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Canadian national team skeleton coach Joe Cecchini has spoken out about the sudden national controversy surrounding his team's decision to withdraw athletes from an Olympic qualifier, costing American Katie Uhlaender a chance to make the Milan Cortina Winter Games.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Today, demand from institutional investors, corporate buyers, and long-term holders can contribute toward upward pressure on the Bitcoin price, especially when liquid supply is withdrawn or locked away.—
Jason Phillips,
Ascend Agency,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And ignoring that fact is now no longer a laughing matter.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
All of these teens had in fact ignored their notices to appear.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overrule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrule. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
