overrule

verb

over·​rule ˌō-vər-ˈrül 

ˌō-və-

overruled; overruling; overrules

transitive verb

1

: to rule over : govern

2

: to prevail over : overcome

3

a

: to rule against

b

: to set aside : reverse

Examples of overrule in a Sentence

The judge overruled the objection.

His conviction was overruled by the supreme court.

Recent Examples on the Web

Rally Scoring: the committee approved it for provisional use (especially in singles) but the board overruled them and put it on hold. —Todd Boss, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024

Right now the nonprofit board can overrule decisions the for-profit business might want to make, in the name of its mission. —Ina Fried, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024

Rogan's theory would then overrule several other circulating ideas, such as the drones are operated by external forces or were launched in search of volatile matter. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

The Supreme Court this year overruled precedent that gave federal agencies great authority to interpret ambiguous laws. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

overrule

verb

over·​rule -ˈrül 

1

: to decide against

the judge overruled the objection

2

: to reverse or set aside (a decision or ruling made by a lesser authority)

Legal Definition

overrule

transitive verb

over·​rule ˌō-vər-ˈrül 

1

: to rule against

the objection was overruled

compare sustain

2

a

: to rule against upon review by virtue of a higher authority : set aside, reverse

the appeals court overruled the trial court's decision

b

: to set aside as a precedent or guide

did not intend to overrule prior jurisprudence in that area

refused to overrule the landmark case

compare follow