overriding feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overriding feeling" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the dominant or prevailing emotion or sensation in a situation or experience. Example: Despite the beautiful scenery and warm weather, there was an overriding feeling of sadness lingering in the air as we walked through the old village. In this example, "overriding feeling" is used to describe the prevalent emotion of sadness despite the pleasant surroundings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Overriding feeling?

The Guardian

The overriding feeling is one of anticipation.

The New York Times

The overriding feeling is: never again.

The Guardian

My overriding feeling is I want peace.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

My overriding feeling is I want peace.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"That's my overriding feeling and I wish it wasn't.

The Guardian

The overriding feeling was above all one of sadness.

The Guardian - Sport

My overriding feeling is one of relief, I suppose.

The Guardian

And yet, during my recent visit, the overriding feeling I encountered was optimism.

The New York Times

That was the overriding feeling for me when I was racially abused playing for my country.

The Guardian - Sport

The overriding feeling in his work is what David Thomson has called an "astringent melancholia".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a complex situation with mixed emotions, use "overriding feeling" to pinpoint the most dominant emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "overriding feeling" when you want to express a range of emotions with equal importance. It implies a hierarchy, where one feeling is more significant than others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overriding feeling" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes the dominant or most significant emotion experienced in a particular context. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is generally used to identify and emphasize the strongest emotion present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overriding feeling" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the most dominant emotion or sensation in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is frequently found in news and media sources, indicating its relevance in describing public sentiment or personal experiences. While alternatives like "prevailing emotion" or "dominant sensation" exist, "overriding feeling" effectively conveys the primary emotional state. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the hierarchy of emotions, highlighting the most significant one. Remember that while widely accepted, clarity and context remain essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevailing emotion

Substitutes "overriding" with "prevailing", highlighting the emotion that is most noticeable or powerful.

central emotion

Uses "central" to describe the core emotion experienced.

chief emotion

Replaces "overriding" with "chief", indicating the most important or principal emotion.

dominant sensation

Replaces "feeling" with "sensation", emphasizing a physical or emotional experience that is most prominent.

key feeling

Replaces "overriding" with "key", suggesting a crucial or essential emotion.

primary sentiment

Uses "sentiment" instead of "feeling", which may suggest a more thoughtful or considered emotion.

most significant emotion

Replaces "overriding" with "most significant", emphasizing importance.

foremost sentiment

Employs "foremost" to indicate the most prominent sentiment or attitude.

main emotional response

Expands "feeling" to "emotional response", clarifying that it's a reaction, while "main" highlights its importance.

principal sensation

Combines "principal", to mean main, with "sensation" to convey a primary physical or emotional experience.

FAQs

How can I use "overriding feeling" in a sentence?

Use "overriding feeling" to describe the main emotion experienced in a situation. For example, "Despite the challenges, the "overriding feeling" was one of hope".

What's a good alternative to "overriding feeling"?

Consider using alternatives such as "prevailing emotion", "dominant sensation", or "primary sentiment" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "overriding feeling of joy"?

While not strictly redundant, specifying the emotion (e.g., joy, sadness, relief) adds clarity and impact. "Overriding feeling of joy" emphasizes that joy was the most prominent emotion.

Which is more formal, "overriding feeling" or "main emotion"?

"Overriding feeling" and "main emotion" are both suitable for formal and informal contexts. However, ""overriding feeling"" might be considered slightly more descriptive.