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
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have overruledperfect
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has overruledperfect 3rd person singular
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has been overrulingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been overrulingperfect progressive
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are overrulingprogressive
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is overrulingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am overrulingprogressive 1st person singular
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overrulingparticiple
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overrulessingular 3rd person
Past
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had overruledperfect
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was overrulingprogressive singular
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had been overrulingperfect progressive
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overruledparticiple
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were overrulingprogressive plural
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overruledsimple
Future
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.
They’ve also been intentional with how they leverage Luke Kennard, running actions that overrule his reluctance to shoot.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
The need to directly overrule the unit, they said, made it a roadblock — one that no longer exists.
From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026
Reddit also employs admins who can overrule moderators and delete subreddits.
From BBC • Feb. 16, 2026
With her new coalition partners, Ms. Takaichi will have a two-thirds majority that will be able to overrule opposition in the weaker upper house.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 8, 2026
“Does the request of a ghost overrule the plea of a wife? How can your vow of vengeance usurp our marriage vows?”
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
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.
