verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/ˌəʊ.vəˈɹuːl/
General-American:/ˌoʊ.vɚˈɹul/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:OW1 V ER0 R UW2 L
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
verb
Meaning 1
To rule over; to govern or determine by superior authority.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
verb
Meaning 2
To rule or determine in a contrary way; to decide against; to abrogate or alter.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To nullify a previous ruling by a higher power.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
The line judge signalled the ball was in, but this was overruled by the umpire.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To dismiss or throw out (a protest or objection) at a court.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Topics: law
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
verb
Meaning 5
rule against
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The Republicans were overruled when the House voted on the bill
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: overturn, override, overthrow, reverse
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: rule, decree
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úp Proto-Indo-European *-er Proto-Indo-European *upér Proto-Germanic *uber Old English ofer- Middle English over- English over- English rule English overrule From over- + rule.
Across languages
Translations
25 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Bulgarian:
господствам
(gospodstvam)
— to rule over
Finnish:
hallita
— to rule over
Bulgarian:
решавам против
(rešavam protiv)
— to rule or determine in a contrary way; to decide against; to abrogate or alter
Finnish:
hylätä
— to rule or determine in a contrary way; to decide against; to abrogate or alter
Hungarian:
felülbírál
— to rule or determine in a contrary way; to decide against; to abrogate or alter
Hungarian:
megvétóz
— to rule or determine in a contrary way; to decide against; to abrogate or alter
Hungarian:
megmásít
— to rule or determine in a contrary way; to decide against; to abrogate or alter
Hungarian:
megváltoztat
— to rule or determine in a contrary way; to decide against; to abrogate or alter
Hungarian:
megdönt
— to rule or determine in a contrary way; to decide against; to abrogate or alter
Bulgarian:
анулирам
(anuliram)
— to nullify a previous ruling
Finnish:
kumota
— to nullify a previous ruling
Finnish:
mitätöidä
— to nullify a previous ruling
Hungarian:
hatályon kívül helyez
— to nullify a previous ruling
Hungarian:
megsemmisít
— to nullify a previous ruling
Hungarian:
semmisnek nyilvánít
— to nullify a previous ruling
Hungarian:
érvénytelenít
— to nullify a previous ruling
Hungarian:
megszüntet
— to nullify a previous ruling
Spanish:
no ha lugar (overruled)
— to nullify a previous ruling
Bulgarian:
отхвърлям
(othvǎrljam)
— to dismiss or throw out a protest at a court
Chinese Mandarin:
反對無效 /反对无效
(fǎnduì wúxiào)
— to dismiss or throw out a protest at a court
Finnish:
hylätä
— to dismiss or throw out a protest at a court
Hungarian:
elutasít
— to dismiss or throw out a protest at a court
Hungarian:
elvet
— to dismiss or throw out a protest at a court
Japanese:
却下する
— to dismiss or throw out a protest at a court
Russian:
отклоня́ть
(otklonjátʹ)
— to dismiss or throw out a protest at a court
