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

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

Its overriding purpose is to prevent child abuse and neglect by giving parents the time and mental space to work through a crisis. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 3 Dec. 2024

Pride is the overriding feeling Palace can have for the contribution of their players at Euro 2024 but also for Colombia’s Jefferson Lerma and Daniel Munoz, both runners-up in the Copa America and significant contributors to their nation’s run to the final. —Matt Woosnam, The Athletic, 16 July 2024

The students get course credit, though anthropology major Maddy Thomas said there’s an overriding sense of purpose. —Michael Hill, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above