overriding conviction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overriding conviction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong belief or principle that takes precedence over other considerations or opinions. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, my overriding conviction was that we must stay true to our values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

And unlike Mr. Haneke's film, the townspeople don't share an overriding conviction of their own piety.

The New York Times

They have to reconcile several different sets of criteria, and not just an overriding conviction that every intention to vote should count.

The Economist

And he called Mr. Cameron "a politician who travels very lightly ideologically except for one overriding conviction — that's this entitlement, this idea that it's his turn to govern".

The New York Times

In the ill-equipped military of the past, harsh punishment was more widespread but also more accepted, as part of an overriding conviction that the country needed a disciplined military to protect it from the North.

The New York Times

He had apparently lost his Christian faith by the age of 15, and his youthful rationalist attitude led him to admire the ideas of the ideologue philosophers, who held that all knowledge must be based on sense experience, on observation, and on controlled experiment; this overriding conviction guided his later career.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Alienated sex with a financially dependent and forever unknowable object of desire; the unresolved trauma of parental rejection; the overriding conviction that guilt-stained autobiographical disclosure is what gay men do best – at times I felt as if I was reading an updated, gender-swapped rewrite of La Prisonnière.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"It would be wrong," says his wife, Laura, her conviction overriding her obvious fear.

The New York Times - Arts

True enough, but that doesn't alter the reality that some very conservative white voters in the land of Strom Thurmond did not let any lingering racial animus override their other convictions.

The New York Times

It requires five supermajorities (for ratifying treaties, endorsing constitutional amendments, overriding vetoes, expelling members and impeachment convictions).

The New Yorker

Some of them are: ratification of treaties, conviction of a President in an impeachment trial, overriding presidential vetoes, approving constitutional amendments, and barring a disabled President from regaining power if the President objects to staying on the sidelines.

Huffington Post

Hers was overriding.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overriding conviction" when you want to emphasize that a particular belief or principle is the most important factor influencing a decision or behavior.

Common error

While "overriding conviction" effectively conveys a strong belief, avoid using it too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive or overly dramatic. Consider simpler alternatives like "strong belief" or "primary principle" for variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overriding conviction" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a deeply held belief that is of primary importance and influences actions or decisions. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct and expresses a strong, dominant belief.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overriding conviction" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a dominant and deeply held belief that significantly influences decisions or behaviors. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. While not overly common, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica. When employing this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a belief that takes precedence over other considerations. For variety, consider alternatives like "paramount belief" or "dominant principle".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

principal conviction

Employs "principal" in place of "overriding", suggesting a primary or fundamental belief.

foremost conviction

Uses "foremost" to emphasize the prominence of the conviction.

paramount belief

Replaces "conviction" with "belief" and "overriding" with "paramount", suggesting the belief is of utmost importance.

central conviction

Highlights that the conviction is a core or essential belief.

dominant principle

Substitutes "conviction" with "principle" and "overriding" with "dominant", indicating a guiding rule that prevails.

supreme belief

Replaces "overriding" with "supreme", indicating the highest level of belief.

core belief

A simpler alternative that focuses on the fundamental nature of the belief.

chief tenet

Uses "chief tenet" instead of "overriding conviction", highlighting the most important doctrine or belief.

deep-seated conviction

Indicates that the conviction is firmly established and deeply rooted.

strong belief

A more general phrase that conveys the intensity of the belief, but less about its dominance.

FAQs

How to use "overriding conviction" in a sentence?

You can use "overriding conviction" to express that a particular belief or principle is the most important factor. For example, "Her overriding conviction was that education was the key to success."

What can I say instead of "overriding conviction"?

You can use alternatives like "paramount belief", "dominant principle", or "chief tenet" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "overriding conviction" or "overarching conviction"?

Both "overriding conviction" and "overarching conviction" can be used, but "overriding conviction" implies that the belief takes precedence over other considerations, while "overarching conviction" suggests a belief that encompasses or influences many aspects. The best choice depends on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

What's the difference between "overriding conviction" and "strong belief"?

"Overriding conviction" emphasizes the dominant and decisive nature of a belief, suggesting it takes precedence over other considerations. "Strong belief" simply indicates a deeply held and firm belief, without necessarily implying that it is the most important factor.