overriding
UK: ˌəʊvəˈraɪdɪŋ | US: ˌoʊvərˈraɪdɪŋ
adj. more important than anything else; having superior authority or influence
vt. (present participle of override) to prevail over, cancel, or disregard with superior authority
The word override originates from Old English oferrīdan (to ride over or across), combining ofer (over) and rīdan (to ride). By the 19th century, it evolved metaphorically to mean "to supersede or nullify," reflecting the idea of one force "riding over" another. The suffix -ing forms the present participle, giving overriding its adjectival sense of "dominant" or "paramount."
Safety concerns are of overriding importance in this project.
The court ruled that federal law overrides state regulations.
Her overriding ambition led her to neglect personal relationships.
The manager used his authority to override the team's decision.
Climate change is the overriding challenge of our generation.