overarching

[ oh-ver-ahr-ching ]

adjective

1. forming an arch above:

   great trees with overarching branches.

2. encompassing or overshadowing everything:

   The community's overarching needs are more jobs and better housing.

overarching

/ ˌəʊvərˈɑːtʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. overall; all-encompassing

   an overarching concept

Word History and Origins

Origin of overarching¹

First recorded in 1710–20; overarch + -ing ²

Example Sentences

In this election, Trump relied on five key themes of gaslighting, all of them adding up to an overarching sixth theme: Democrats are the real threat to American democracy, and Donald Trump is its savior.

From Salon

The league’s overarching philosophy since its founding has been parity, a goal its byzantine salary rules were designed to support.

From Los Angeles Times

All the groups share a similar, overarching goal: to help people make connections while moving.

From Los Angeles Times

Both players became glue guys on a team that, while lacking one overarching leader, bonded by getting contributions from across the roster.

From Los Angeles Times

She took a distressingly long time to define a clear, overarching vision.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• overall
• throughout
• underlying