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to overrule

to overrule

89 5.7
To reject a decision or objection because someone else has more power
  • verb
  • /ˌoʊvərˈruːl/
  • Formal
: revocar
  • The judge chose to overrule the defense's objections during the trial.
  • overrule a decision
  • court overruled
  • vote to overrule

It's about to overrule the affirmative action.

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Examples

  • Eventually, on 23 June 1999, the NPC overruled the decision of the Court of Final Appeal.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The committee can overrule the chancellor - that's you, sir - by a two-thirds vote.

  • Judge, do you maybe want to overrule this?

  • I will overrule your objection.

  • My authority overrules the court's.

  • The objection of the defense has been heard and overruled.

  • The Casey decision, although refusing to overrule Roe, nonetheless modified it significantly.

    Academic text (1993)
  • Well... your objections are duly noted and summarily overruled.

  • The objection is overruled.

  • As noted above, this 1990 U.S. Supreme Court decision effectively overrules the Sherbert two-part test.

    Academic text (1990)

Synonyms

to overturn
vsto overrule
  • Formal
122 5.6

Officially cancel a decision or law

acts by superior authority to set aside a decision rather than only reverse it
to reverse
vsto overrule
  • Formal
109 4.9

To officially cancel a previous decision, especially by a court

is the use of superior authority to reject decisions beyond legal reversal
to override
vsto overrule
96 6.7

To cancel a rule or decision because something else is more important

rejects or sets aside a decision by superior authority
to quash
vsto overrule
  • Formal
11 8.1

Officially say a decision or order is not valid

involves using superior authority to reject decisions, not only void them
to overbear
vsto overrule
1 8.4

To use power to stop objections or complaints

uses superior authority to formally reject decisions rather than merely suppressing opposition

Antonyms

∞ 1.6

To officially agree to something or think that it is good

176 4.4

To support and keep a law, decision, or belief in effect

How Final

to annul
  • Formal
6 6.3
to overrule
  • Formal
89 5.7
to reject
839 1.9
to question
777 3.5

Surface Forms

overrule infinitive
overruled past
overruled past participle
overruling present participle
overrules third person singular

Morphology

overrule = rule (semi-transparent) = over + rule

The components 'over' + 'rule' signal superior authority, but the specific legal sense 'set aside a decision' is a specialized extension that may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Overrule comes from the parts over- meaning 'above' and rule meaning 'to control or decide'. So, to overrule someone is to put your decision 'above' theirs and reject or change what they decided.