as in rejected
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.
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Recent Examples of overruled
The Delaware Supreme Court in December 2025 overruled McCormick and reinstated the pay plan.
—
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Commission officials overruled the chief and found that some of the actions by the officers did not comply with department policies.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Mayor Mamdani has once wisely again overruled Candidate Mamdani, reversing a brash and reckless campaign promise with the sober reality of governing, this one on the CityFHEPS housing voucher program.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
The groups acknowledged concerns voiced by their own members but overruled those objections based on the international spirit of the event.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
Those objections were overruled.
—Sarah Todd, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
They were overruled 11-2 with two abstentions.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026
The court’s decision overruled a decision by the Lake County Electoral Board, chaired by Vega, which decided in November in a 2-1 vote to allow Ruiz to remain on the ballot, despite the challenge.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
The Dred Scott decision was later overruled by the ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments after the Civil War, which outlawed slavery, gave former slaves citizenship, and gave former slaves voting rights, respectively.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Commission officials overruled the chief and found that some of the actions by the officers did not comply with department policies.
—Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Mayor Mamdani has once wisely again overruled Candidate Mamdani, reversing a brash and reckless campaign promise with the sober reality of governing, this one on the CityFHEPS housing voucher program.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
The groups acknowledged concerns voiced by their own members but overruled those objections based on the international spirit of the event.
—Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
Those objections were overruled.
—Sarah Todd, STAT, 20 Mar. 2026
They were overruled 11-2 with two abstentions.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 Mar. 2026
The court’s decision overruled a decision by the Lake County Electoral Board, chaired by Vega, which decided in November in a 2-1 vote to allow Ruiz to remain on the ballot, despite the challenge.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
The Dred Scott decision was later overruled by the ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments after the Civil War, which outlawed slavery, gave former slaves citizenship, and gave former slaves voting rights, respectively.
—Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overruled
Verb
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Tobolowsky previously rejected motions from other Gateway elders, ruling that the suit was not a religious issue and could be handled in secular court.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
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My first preference was always the path of diplomacy, yet the regime continued their relentless quest for nuclear weapons and rejected every attempt at an agreement.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When a Groyper account on X suggested that Jewish people were responsible for contemporary German immigration policy, Rogers, using her official State Department account, dismissed the claim as nonsense.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
And yet, when HB 1098 was introduced in 2023, critics dismissed it as a solution in search of a problem.—
Lisa Frizell,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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During a court hearing Wednesday morning, Davis' attorney, Simon Steckel, filed a motion to dismiss, which the judge denied.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Hernandez denied any knowledge or responsibility for what went on at the house.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Thompson refused to comply and raised the firearm toward the officers.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Apr. 2026
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Some customers claimed that they were still charged for a subscription despite attempts to cancel it, and that the company then refused to give them a refund.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ames is one of thousands of women who have felt ignored by medical professionals.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Since ancient times, athletes have often ignored the rules in their quest for glory.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overruled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overruled. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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