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

Some lawyers in the UK have noted the many legal difficulties facing football clubs when considering how to deal with a player facing allegations of sexual or domestic violence, without overarching rules in place.

From BBC

In this election, Trump relied on five key themes of gaslighting in various different ways, 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

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

Related Words

• overall
• throughout
• underlying