overrule

IPA/ˌəʊvəˈruːl/
KK[ˈovɚrˌul]IPA/ˌəʊvərˈruːl/

overrule — verb

  • overrulepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • overruleshe / she / it
  • overruledpast simple
  • overruling-ing form

1. to use greater official power to say that an earlier ruling, objection, or plan

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to use greater official power to say that an earlier ruling, objection, or plan should not stand

Example

The judge overruled the defense lawyer's objection and let the witness answer.

overrule + objection in court

After reviewing the budget, the board overruled the manager's decision to close the library.

official body overrules a decision

Common collocations
  • overrule an objection
  • overrule a decision
  • overrule a ruling
  • overrule a ban
Synonyms
  • override

    very close in meaning; often used for decisions, orders, or automatic controls

  • overturn

    common for court rulings, laws, or public decisions that are reversed

  • reverse

    broader and less tied to one person using higher authority

Antonyms
  • uphold

    to decide that an earlier ruling or decision should remain in force

Grammar Patterns

overrule an objection

overrule a decision

overrule a ruling

Usage Note

The subject is usually a judge, court, manager, minister, or other person with formal authority. The object is often an objection, ruling, order, ban, or decision that has already been made.

Common Mistakes

The court overruled that the law was unfair.
The court ruled that the law was unfair.
'overrule' takes a previous decision or objection as its object; it does not introduce a that-clause.
My friend overruled my holiday idea.
My boss overruled my holiday plan.
'overrule' usually implies higher official authority, not ordinary disagreement between equals.

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

For verb sense 1, overrule is used when a person or official body with higher authority rejects an earlier decision, ruling, or objection. Override is the closest general synonym and often appears with orders, system settings, or management decisions. Overturn is especially common in legal and political contexts, where a court or authority makes an earlier ruling no longer valid. Reverse is broader and can describe many kinds of change back to an earlier position, even when power relationships are less important. A judge can overrule an objection, a board can override a manager's choice, an appeal court can overturn a ruling, and a minister can reverse a policy.

overrule ↗override ↗overturn ↗reverse ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishOld FrenchEnglish

Overrule was formed in English from over and rule. Over adds the idea of being above or having greater power, while rule came into English through Old French and refers to making an official decision. The combined verb first suggested ruling from a higher position, and it later developed the modern sense of using greater authority to reject an earlier decision or objection.