overruling
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /ˌoʊvərˈruːlɪŋ/
KK: /oʊvərˈruːlɪŋ/
noun
Definition
The act of rejecting or canceling a decision or ruling made by someone in authority.
Example
The judge's overruling of the previous decision surprised everyone in the courtroom.
Conversation
Did you hear about the overruling in the meeting yesterday?
Yeah, it caused quite a stir among the team members.
I thought it was a bit unfair to change the decision like that.
I agree, but sometimes overruling is necessary for progress.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
reversal
annulment
overturning
Antonyms
approval
validation
endorsement
verb
Definition
To reject or change a decision or ruling made by someone else, often in a legal or authoritative context.
Example
The judge is overruling the previous decision made by the lower court.
Tense Forms
Past: overruled
Past Participle: overruled
Conversation
I heard the coach is overruling the previous decision about the starting lineup.
Really? That’s unexpected!
Yeah, I thought the team was set for the game this weekend.
Root Explanation
Overruling → It is formed from "over-" (meaning above or beyond) and "rule" (from Old French *reule*, meaning to govern or control) and the suffix "-ing" (indicating the action or process). The word "overruling" means the action of governing or controlling something in a manner that surpasses or overrides previous decisions or rules.
Memory Tip
Think of 'over' meaning above and 'rule' as governing — so 'overruling' is the act of governing above or overriding previous rules.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.