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Definition of "overrule" []

  • To disallow the action or arguments of, especially by virtue of higher authority: The defense attorney's objection was overruled by the judge. (verb-transitive)
  • To decide or rule against: overrule a policy decision. (verb-transitive)
  • To declare null and void; reverse. (verb-transitive)
  • To dominate by strong influence; prevail over. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "overrule" in a sentence
  • "Nothing happened in the match, and in that moment, he called an overrule."
  • "Should the Court "overrule" McConnell and allow as applied challenges to the electioneering communications, there will be much handwringing an wailing amoung the reform community."
  • "If you don’t figure this out, then every new ruling of the Supreme Court must come as a complete surprise to you, because SCOTUS doesn’t take cases on issues which it has already decided (unless it plans to overrule, which is presumably even more surprising to someone with a myopic view of precedent)."