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

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Sure, the outfits tend to take precedence over hair, but a good cut can totally transform an aesthetic. —

Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 7 Feb. 2025 Member schools remain responsible for certifying athlete eligibility for practice and competition, but local, state, and federal laws take precedence over NCAA rules. —

Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025 That public duty should take precedence over private interest. —

Eric Heavner, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2025 The Pulitzer filing also raised constitutional concerns, citing the Supremacy Clause, which states that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over conflicting state laws. —

Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 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 21 Feb. 2025.

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