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 + over
The safety of the children has/takes precedence over everything else.

Examples of have/take precedence over in a Sentence

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Caglianone is under team control for six seasons, and those six seasons just have to take precedence over an immediate fix. Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025 Reddit users have chimed in, with many questioning why the brother's wedding would take precedence over his education. Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 24 May 2025 In manufacturing, keeping OT systems online may take precedence over administrative tools. Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 The order asserts that federal immigration laws take precedence over state legislation. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for have/take precedence over

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Cite this Entry

“Have/take precedence over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have%2Ftake%20precedence%20over. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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