have/take precedence over
idiom
somewhat formal
: to be more important (than something else)
When it comes to making health care decisions, the patient's preference should take precedence.
—often + overThe safety of the children has/takes precedence over everything else.
Examples of have/take precedence over in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Although many observers have highlighted the immorality of Israel’s conduct, Israeli leaders have consistently claimed that the goal of defeating Hamas and weakening its ability to launch new attacks against Israeli civilians must take precedence over any concerns about Palestinian lives.
—
Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2024
Passion will likely take precedence over structure today.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 23 May 2024
General Daily Insight for May 23, 2024 Passion will likely take precedence over structure today.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 May 2024
So music’s going to take precedence over anything else being booked in.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 3 May 2024
Now, party institutions and CCP Central Committee commissions take precedence over those representing the government.
—Odd Arne Westad, Foreign Affairs, 13 June 2023
Typically, a county court decision would not take precedence over any ruling from the Arizona Supreme Court, the state's top court.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
The letter called the ordinance redundant and unnecessary because federal regulators are considering regulations that, if passed, would take precedence over the city's ordinance.
—The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
Hereditary laws may also take precedence over other arrangements if your country of residence has such laws.
—Tom Zachystal, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2024
Passion will likely take precedence over structure today.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 23 May 2024
General Daily Insight for May 23, 2024 Passion will likely take precedence over structure today.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 23 May 2024
So music’s going to take precedence over anything else being booked in.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 3 May 2024
Now, party institutions and CCP Central Committee commissions take precedence over those representing the government.
—Odd Arne Westad, Foreign Affairs, 13 June 2023
Typically, a county court decision would not take precedence over any ruling from the Arizona Supreme Court, the state's top court.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024
The letter called the ordinance redundant and unnecessary because federal regulators are considering regulations that, if passed, would take precedence over the city's ordinance.
—The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024
Hereditary laws may also take precedence over other arrangements if your country of residence has such laws.
—Tom Zachystal, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'have/take precedence over.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Cite this Entry
“Have/take precedence over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have%2Ftake%20precedence%20over. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share