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

However, Basketball Ireland said the NLC then overruled that decision and confirmed only the final 0.3 seconds will be replayed at some point this week. —Ben Church, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024

But multiple district employees told me that Cunningham often screened the candidates herself and made final decisions, even overruling principals at times. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024

Irwin left in June 2023, after Musk overruled a previous decision to limit the spread of an anti-transgender video. —David Ingram, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024

The lawsuit, filed in early March in El Dorado Superior Court, not only spotlights the debate about the effectiveness of the programs but California’s assertion that local jurisdictions are not empowered to overrule state law. —Jenavieve Hatch, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2024

Biden noted how Trump continues to tout his role in the end of Roe, through naming three Supreme Court justices who voted to overrule it. —Lalee Ibssa, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2024

In the end, President Reagan came down on the side of Mr. Benedick and the State Department, overruling the anti-regulatory faction in his administration. —Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024

He was overruled by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the War Cabinet, as senior national security officials were wary of further escalations during the war, with limited troops available. —Fatma Tanis, NPR, 10 Apr. 2024

On June 24 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, which since 1973 had federally protected access to abortions until the point of viability, around 24 weeks. —Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 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