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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of overruled
Hultgren singled to lead off the fourth then was called out stealing second base, but the call was overruled by another umpire allowing Hultgren to remain on base.
—
Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
The attorney objected, and the judge overruled her.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Apr. 2026
Good thing you were overruled, right?
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Several of the conservative justices, including Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, have suggested that decades-old decision should be overruled.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Starmer says he was not informed that the Foreign Office had overruled the recommendation of security officials in early 2025 not to give Peter Mandelson the job.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
In this instance, they were overruled by Barr and his deputies, but former officials said this was a rare case in which their guidance was ignored.
—Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 13 Apr. 2026
If allowed to stand, this poses problems for utilities, grid operators, and regulators who plan for decades-long timeframes, only to be overruled by short-term political imperatives that favor certain industries.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
The Delaware Supreme Court in December 2025 overruled McCormick and reinstated the pay plan.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
The attorney objected, and the judge overruled her.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 23 Apr. 2026
Good thing you were overruled, right?
—Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Several of the conservative justices, including Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, have suggested that decades-old decision should be overruled.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Starmer says he was not informed that the Foreign Office had overruled the recommendation of security officials in early 2025 not to give Peter Mandelson the job.
—ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
In this instance, they were overruled by Barr and his deputies, but former officials said this was a rare case in which their guidance was ignored.
—Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 13 Apr. 2026
If allowed to stand, this poses problems for utilities, grid operators, and regulators who plan for decades-long timeframes, only to be overruled by short-term political imperatives that favor certain industries.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 9 Apr. 2026
The Delaware Supreme Court in December 2025 overruled McCormick and reinstated the pay plan.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overruled
Verb
-
At one point, Iran asked to move its games to Mexico, but that request was rejected.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Voters in a 1986 retention election rejected Rose Bird, the chief justice of the California Supreme Court, and two liberal colleagues, over dissatisfaction with decisions overturning numerous death penalty sentences.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Red Sox had never fired a manger in-season since John Henry purchased the team in 2002, and throughout the franchise’s existence no manager had ever been dismissed midseason so early in the campaign.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Last year, dozens of experts who provided independent evaluations for biomedical research were dismissed from National Institute of Health science review boards.—
National Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the country’s leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has denied Cuba has political prisoners and has stressed that his government is not negotiating any internal political matters with the United States.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Beyoncé's publicist has denied rumors that the singer's next album will be released the week of the Met Gala.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
During the last art Biennale, Israel’s participating artist Ruth Patir refused to open the show at the national Pavilion, saying the doors would remain shut until a hostage agreement and ceasefire deal in Gaza were reached.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
-
But the reserves refused to cooperate with that notion.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance's survey shows younger patients' symptoms often go ignored, delaying diagnosis and treatment.—
Yuki Noguchi,
NPR,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Other Bennet Sister BritBox, May 6 Hadlow’s continuation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice imagines the fortunes of Mary Bennet, aka the boring (though not entirely ignored) one.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overruled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overruled. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
