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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
translation icon : 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.