overrule
Americanverb (used with object)
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to rule against or disallow the arguments of (a person).
The senator was overruled by the committee chairman.
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to rule or decide against (a plea, argument, etc.); reject.
to overrule an objection.
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to prevail over so as to change the purpose or action.
a delay that overruled our plans.
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to exercise control or influence over.
belief in a beneficent deity that overrules the universe.
verb
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to disallow the arguments of (a person) by the use of authority
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to rule or decide against (an argument, decision, etc)
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to prevail over, dominate, or influence
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to exercise rule over
Other Word Forms
- overruler noun
- overrulingly adverb
- unoverruled adjective
Etymology
Origin of overrule
Explanation
In a court of law, when a judge overrules, she disagrees with an attorney's objection and allows the opposing side to go ahead with a line of questioning. In courtroom dramas, you'll hear lawyers yelling, "Objection!" followed by a judge declaring, "Overruled!" When the court overrules an objection, they're considering the legality of what the opposing attorney was saying and whether the objection was legitimate. If there was a valid legal reason to object, the judge would say, "Sustained." Judges can also overrule previous decisions made by lower courts. Before gaining its legal meaning, overrule simply meant "rule over or govern."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The need to directly overrule the unit, they said, made it a roadblock — one that no longer exists.
From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026
In rare cases they can overrule the results of an assessment if they still have concerns about a player's performance in it or there was an error in administering it.
From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026
A major wild card is whether the Supreme Court will overrule some portion of the tariffs, and how the administration might respond.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 4, 2026
The Chamber of Commerce said the court should overrule the 1935 decision, but carve out an exception for the Federal Reserve.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2025
“He’s got no power ter overrule the Committee. He told ’em Buckbeak’s all right, but they’re scared....
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
