Overruling: meaning, definitions and examples

⚖️
Add to dictionary

overruling

 

[ oʊ.vərˈruː.lɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

legal context

Overruling refers to the act of rejecting or invalidating a decision or order made by a lower authority. This term is commonly used in legal settings where a higher court may overrule a previous ruling made by a lower court, thus altering the course of a case or legal precedent.

Synonyms

annulling, invalidating, rejecting, reversing.

Examples of usage

  • The Supreme Court overruled the lower court's decision.
  • The judge eventually overruled the objection raised by the defense.
  • The appellate court overruled several key findings from the trial.
  • The committee overruled the initial proposal after further consideration.

Translations

Translations of the word "overruling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 anulação

🇮🇳 अवहेलन

🇩🇪 Aufhebung

🇮🇩 pembatalan

🇺🇦 скасування

🇵🇱 uchwała

🇯🇵 覆すこと

🇫🇷 annulation

🇪🇸 anulación

🇹🇷 iptal etme

🇰🇷 무효화

🇸🇦 إلغاء

🇨🇿 zrušení

🇸🇰 zrušenie

🇨🇳 撤销

🇸🇮 razveljavitev

🇮🇸 felldur

🇰🇿 жою

🇬🇪 აღვივნება

🇦🇿 ləğv etmə

🇲🇽 anulación

Etymology

The term 'overrule' stems from Middle English, derived from the prefix 'over-', meaning 'above' or 'beyond', combined with the verb 'rule', which has its roots in Old French 'riule', and Latin 'regula'. The concept has evolved primarily within the legal domain, where a judge or higher authority essentially 'rules over' a previous decision. This reflects the hierarchical structure of legal systems, where higher courts maintain the power to modify, reject, or endorse the rulings of lower courts. Historically, the practice of overruling has shaped legal precedents and has been pivotal in civil rights advancements and pivotal cases, showcasing ongoing interpretations of law and justice.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,012, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.