overarching

American  

[oh-ver-ahr-ching] / ˌoʊ vərˈɑr tʃɪŋ /

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.

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overarching British  

/ ˌəʊvərˈɑːtʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. overall; all-encompassing

   an overarching concept

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Etymology

Origin of overarching

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

Example Sentences

Warsh has consistently argued that the Fed’s mandate should be narrow, on the basis that a wide and overarching mandate threatens the institution’s credibility.

From Barron's

For Wagner, being smarter about investing and shorter-term trading comes down to one overarching truth: “The market doesn’t care what you think.”

From MarketWatch

The Pentagon stuck a conciliatory tone toward Beijing in its new defense strategy, stating that its overarching goal is to establish “strategic stability” in the Indo-Pacific region and de–escalate tensions with the Chinese military.

From The Wall Street Journal

Verified videos and eyewitness accounts seen by the BBC appeared to show the government was ramping up its response, as it continues an overarching internet blackout.

From BBC

No surprise, the future of artificial intelligence was an overarching Roundtable theme.

From Barron's

Related Words

• overall
• throughout
• underlying