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

After they were overruled, Jost later voted with the majority to approve the council’s budget proposal. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 11 Dec. 2024

But in both cases those judges were overruled by the state’s main environmental regulator, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. —Dylan Baddour, WIRED, 7 Dec. 2024

However, the Senate Parliamentarian can be overruled by the Vice President. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2024

In a major ruling in June, the court overruled a 40-year-old decision that said courts should give agencies leeway in interpreting ambiguous laws passed by Congress if their interpretation is reasonable. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 22 Nov. 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