as in to reject
to decide that (something or someone) is wrong; to rule against (something or someone)
The judge overruled the objection. His conviction was overruled by the supreme court.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overrule
In March 2021, Depp's attempt to overturn the decision was overruled.
—
Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
Since Lemon was overruled, the Texas legislatures have written bills to allow prayer in public schools and required the Ten Commandments be posted in every classroom.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2026
But even those who voted in favor of overruling the commission’s determination and allowing for demolition acknowledged the community’s concerns.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Eventually, Judge Alexander Tisch overruled the objection and allowed Powell to continue.
—Luke Cyphers, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overrule
Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 Jan. 2026
Since Lemon was overruled, the Texas legislatures have written bills to allow prayer in public schools and required the Ten Commandments be posted in every classroom.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Jan. 2026
But even those who voted in favor of overruling the commission’s determination and allowing for demolition acknowledged the community’s concerns.
—Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Eventually, Judge Alexander Tisch overruled the objection and allowed Powell to continue.
—Luke Cyphers, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overrule
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overrule
Verb
-
Zelenskyy previously stressed that the timing and format of any elections are matters solely for Ukraine and its citizens, rejecting any suggestion that the Kremlin could dictate the process.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The council also rejected, narrowly, a flat 2% increase suggested by Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez in a 7-8 vote.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After days of deliberations, the House justice committee voted to dismiss the impeachment complaints filed by left-wing activists and a lawyer against Marcos.—
JIM GOMEZ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Saab denied the allegations and appealed to have the charges dismissed on grounds of diplomatic immunity.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Aljorna and Sosa-Celis denied assaulting the officer.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Decades later, Faraci cooperated with Modrowski’s lawyer during the post-conviction proceedings and submitted two affidavits in 2019 and 2011 denying Modrowski was involved, court records show.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Protesters stood in front of the main gate and refused to leave.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
If at a certain point the person refuses to cooperate, recruiters resort to blackmail, Andriy said, threatening to hand over the correspondence to the SBU.—
Daria Tarasova-Markina,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
However, that petition was later withdrawn in 2025, the complaint said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
China has invested little in Russia’s economy, and nowhere near the amount that the West withdrew after Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.—
Alan Cullison,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Still, even inside the awards-season bubble, the turmoil surrounding the movie business, the country and the world beyond it was hard to ignore.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
-
They're exhausted by the constant airing of grievances having little to do with what's actually going on in the country, and by the broad generalizations about, well, everything, that ignore context, nuance and facts to promote a political viewpoint.—
Brenda Looper,
Arkansas Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overrule.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overrule. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
