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

"What has been offered is an 'overarching review', not a statutory public inquiry. That distinction matters," he said.

From BBC

“The one overarching objective for him was to remove sanctions to improve the economy of the Islamic Republic,” said Enrique Mora, the Spanish diplomat who chaired talks on reviving the nuclear deal from 2021.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Pentagon said in its national defense strategy issued in January that its overarching goal was to establish “strategic stability” in the Indo-Pacific region and de-escalate tensions with the Chinese military.

From The Wall Street Journal

It was as if a great, overarching wave had been frozen by one touch of the World Spirit’s finger.

From Literature

In the run-up to the Academy Awards, Madigan was not the overarching favorite, but wins at the Critics Choice Awards and the Actor Awards bestowed by the Screen Actors Guild snowballed into Oscars success.

From Barron's

Related Words

• overall
• throughout
• underlying