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.
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
They can also overrule parliament’s upper house if the two chambers clash on legislation.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026
Is there also a chance that justices could say they just don’t have authority to overrule the commander-in-chief on this?
From Slate • Jan. 16, 2026
But since that case did not involve a multi-member board or commission, it did not overrule the 1935 precedent.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2025
The man slowly moved away, peeking backward a couple times, hoping one of us would overrule Ozzie’s rejection.
From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore
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.
