have/take precedence over

idiom

somewhat formal
: to be more important (than something else)
When it comes to making health care decisions, the patient's preference should take precedence.
often + over
The safety of the children has/takes precedence over everything else.

Examples of have/take precedence over in a Sentence

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Together, the cases exemplify a growing trend in which U.S. political and corporate actors attempt to undermine foreign regulatory authority by pressing the case that domestic U.S. law and corporate protections should take precedence over sovereign policies globally. Camille Grenier, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025 Federal law also remains a critical factor—if a company is subject to federal drug testing requirements, such as the Department of Transportation's regulations for commercial drivers, those requirements would take precedence over state law. Alonzo Martinez, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 The hope now for David Cassirer and his family is that the 9th Circuit will interpret the California law passed last year to take precedence over federal law. Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2025 However, with the North Node in Pisces, themes of spirituality and surrender take precedence over the need for critique and perfection. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for have/take precedence over

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“Have/take precedence over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have%2Ftake%20precedence%20over. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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