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

Justice Clarence Thomas said the Supreme Court should overrule or limit a 75-year-old ruling in a dissent published on Monday. —David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025

In the movie, on the final possession in the Indiana state high school championship game, the players overrule the coach’s choice for the player to attempt the game-winning shot. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 27 Feb. 2025

In other words, the Trump administration’s political leadership at HHS wanted funding to stay frozen, and that overruled any legal concerns. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025

Austin is overruled, and thus provides no basis for allowing the Government to limit corporate independent expenditures. —Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for overrule

• minuscule
• molecule
• poiseuille
• reticule
• ridicule
• vestibule
• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule
• footstool

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