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

In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled that the symbolic importance of the flag does not overrule someone’s First Amendment rights, rendering the Flag Code to just a set of societal norms and traditions. —Washington Post, 21 June 2024

Bowden-Lewis challenged the commission’s control and complained when her decisions were overruled that she was treated differently than previous chiefs because of her race. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2024

The family of the Kiss guitar tech who died after contracting Covid during the band’s End of the Road World Tour won a round in their wrongful death lawsuit against the band, as the band’s motion to have the case tossed was overruled in court in Los Angeles on Friday. —Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2024

Gun rights: Senate Democrats sought to pass legislation banning bump stocks for firearms after the Supreme Court last week overruled a previous ban, but a single Republican objected, which effectively stalled the bill. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 19 June 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