overriding

adjective

over·​rid·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈrī-diŋ 

ˌō-və-

: chief, principal

an overriding concern

Synonyms

• arch
• big
• capital
• cardinal
• central
• chief
• dominant
• first
• foremost
• grand
• great
• greatest
• highest
• key
• leading
• main
• master
• number one
• No. 1
• numero uno
• overbearing
• overmastering
• paramount
• predominant
• preeminent
• premier
• primal
• primary
• principal
• prior
• sovereign
• sovran
• supreme

Examples of overriding in a Sentence

We have one overriding concern.

The weather is the overriding factor in deciding whether to cancel the picnic.

Recent Examples on the Web

My MyAnna Buring and Poppy Gilbert give charming performances as the cancer ward nurses, Hannah Teare’s bright timeless costumes and Anna Papa’s set infused with uplifting colour palettes all adds to the overriding sense of hope despite the tough subject matter. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

But my overriding sentiment was this: Why didn’t someone warn me? A turning point Seven years ago, with the birth of the #MeToo movement, my private parental action essentially went viral as women spread the word nationwide. —Jackie Calmes, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024

That is probably the overriding sentiment at the end of this tournament. —Peter Rutzler, The Athletic, 9 July 2024

The suit claims the technology was used as an overriding second opinion, and has a 90% error rate. —Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above