overriding

adjective

over·​rid·​ing ˌō-vər-ˈrī-diŋ How to pronounce overriding (audio)
ˌō-və-
Synonyms of overridingnext
: chief, principal
an overriding concern

Synonyms of overriding

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Examples of overriding in a Sentence

We have one overriding concern. The weather is the overriding factor in deciding whether to cancel the picnic.
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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.
Yet Smith never treated short-term self-interest as the sole or overriding goal. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 The final overriding decision was therefore not simply a process of adjudicating biological facts, but a judgment about what classification might do. — Max Moser, STAT, 9 July 2026 The only overriding lesson may be that there are no overriding lessons. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026 That didn’t change the overriding feeling of utter failure one iota. — Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for overriding

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overriding was in 1830

Rhymes for overriding

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Browse Nearby Words

overrider
overriding
overright
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Cite this Entry

“Overriding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overriding. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on overriding

Nglish: Translation of overriding for Spanish Speakers

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