was overruled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was overruled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that a decision or objection has been rejected by a higher authority or a judge. Example: "The objection raised by the defense was overruled by the judge, allowing the evidence to be presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was overruled.

Stanford University

The demurrer was overruled.

Cornell University

It was overruled.

The New York Times

This was overruled.

Cornell University

Mr. Stowell was overruled.

The New York Times

She was overruled.

The New York Times

The recommendation was overruled.

The New York Times

Mr. Fuerth was overruled.

The New York Times

"Defense counsel's objection was overruled.

Cornell University

The staff member was overruled.

The New York Times

Eventually, the chaplain was overruled.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was overruled" when a decision or ruling has been formally rejected or reversed by a higher authority. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the overruling.

Common error

Avoid using "was overruled" in informal conversations where a simple disagreement occurred. Opt for more casual alternatives like "disagreed with" or "rejected" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was overruled" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a prior decision, ruling, or action has been reversed or rejected by a superior authority. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was overruled" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating the reversal or rejection of a previous decision by a higher authority. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase is suitable for formal contexts such as legal, academic, and journalistic writing. It's most commonly found in news and academic sources. When using "was overruled", ensure that the context clearly identifies the authority that performed the overruling. Alternatives include "was overturned", "was reversed", and "was rejected", which may be more appropriate for less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was overturned

Replaces "overruled" with a synonym indicating a reversal of a previous decision.

was reversed

Indicates a change to the opposite direction or outcome, similar to overruling.

was rejected

Implies a refusal to accept or approve, conveying a similar negative outcome.

was superseded

Suggests a replacement or invalidation by something newer or more authoritative.

was invalidated

Similar to nullified, emphasizing the lack of legal validity.

was nullified

Indicates that something has been made void or legally invalid.

was set aside

Suggests a temporary or permanent removal or cancellation.

was rescinded

Indicates the cancellation or repeal of a law, order, or agreement.

was quashed

Implies that something was suppressed or rejected completely.

was repealed

Specifically refers to the revocation or annulment of a law or act.

FAQs

How to use "was overruled" in a sentence?

The phrase "was overruled" indicates that a previous decision or ruling has been reversed or rejected by a higher authority. For example, "The judge's decision "was overruled" by the appeals court".

What can I say instead of "was overruled"?

You can use alternatives like "was overturned", "was reversed", or "was rejected" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was overruled" or "is overruled"?

"Was overruled" is used to describe a past event where a decision was reversed. "Is overruled" is used to describe a present situation or a general rule. For example, "His objection was overruled" (past) versus "An objection is overruled if it lacks merit" (present/general).

What's the difference between "was overruled" and "was rejected"?

"Was overruled" typically implies a formal reversal by a higher authority, often in a legal or structured environment. "Was rejected" is a more general term that can apply to any refusal or disapproval, not necessarily by a superior authority. For example, the proposal "was rejected" by the committee.