as in rejects
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.
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Recent Examples of overrules
Accessibility Although there are areas where design overrules function, the majority of the resort meets ADA standards with ramps and wheelchair-friendly pathways.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Echoing a common theme from older participants, Kelle Phillips said Trump’s decision was a pragmatic reaction to a real threat that overrules the best hopes of campaign rhetoric.
—Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
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
The legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 79, overrules local zoning to boost development in busy areas of the Golden State, allowing developers to build tall apartment and condo buildings of up to nine stories in single-family areas near certain transit stops.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The decision overrules a lower court's decision that had blocked USAID cuts.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Echoing a common theme from older participants, Kelle Phillips said Trump’s decision was a pragmatic reaction to a real threat that overrules the best hopes of campaign rhetoric.
—Thomas Beaumont, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026
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
The legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 79, overrules local zoning to boost development in busy areas of the Golden State, allowing developers to build tall apartment and condo buildings of up to nine stories in single-family areas near certain transit stops.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The decision overrules a lower court's decision that had blocked USAID cuts.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overrules
Verb
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Contrary to popular belief, Holmgren rejects the cliché that the greatest teams push egos aside, forgetting individual goals in the quest for a Larry O’Brien Trophy.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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Taylor Sheridan completely rejects woke nonsense in his shows.—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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The Brit dismisses the former as being significant – she’s lived in the US for the last 20 years – but the age touches a bit of a nerve.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
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Paula records the assault on camera, takes it to the police — an officer played by Dolly de Leon dismisses it as an obvious scam — and then gets the inevitable ask for money from someone claiming to be his kidnapper.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
Verb
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Workday denies these claims, stating AI only matches qualifications and human decisions are final.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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The Department of Homeland Security denies a strike is happening inside.—
Christina Fan,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Verb
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With free speech under threat in Hollywood, Poppy Liu refuses to separate her politics from her art.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
27 May 2026
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It may be stopped because one student speaks up, one parent pays attention, one friend refuses to stay silent, one faith leader reaches out, or one community decides that preventing hate is everyone’s responsibility.—
Michael Brunker,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
Verb
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What the box office math ignores is the film’s rising tide effect for the studio.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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Treating it as a one-time project ignores that today’s environment demands ongoing technological integration.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overrules.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrules. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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