overrule

[ oh-ver-rool ]
See synonyms for overrule on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),o·ver·ruled, o·ver·rul·ing.
  1. to rule against or disallow the arguments of (a person): The senator was overruled by the committee chairman.

  2. to rule or decide against (a plea, argument, etc.); reject: to overrule an objection.

  1. to prevail over so as to change the purpose or action: a delay that overruled our plans.

  2. to exercise control or influence over: belief in a beneficent deity that overrules the universe.

Origin of overrule

1
First recorded in 1570–80; over- + rule

Other words from overrule

  • o·ver·rul·er, noun
  • o·ver·rul·ing·ly, adverb
  • un·o·ver·ruled, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use overrule in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for overrule

overrule

/ (ˌəʊvəˈruːl) /


verb(tr)
  1. to disallow the arguments of (a person) by the use of authority

  2. to rule or decide against (an argument, decision, etc)

  1. to prevail over, dominate, or influence

  2. to exercise rule over

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012