countermand

verb coun·ter·mand \ ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌmand , ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈmand \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of countermand

transitive verb

1 : to revoke (a command) by a contrary order

2 : to recall or order back by a superseding contrary order

countermand reinforcements

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Examples of countermand in a Sentence

Orders to blow up the bridge were countermanded.

Recent Examples of countermand from the Web

The power struggle turns tragic when Khrushchev countermands Beria's order to shut down the rail lines while Stalin lies in state and a flood of mourners into Moscow results in Soviet security forces slaughtering 1,500 people.

— j.r. jones, Chicago Reader, "The Death of Stalin shines a light on Lavrenti Beria, head of the Soviet Union’s dreaded secret police.," 15 Mar. 2018
But, except for his use of executive orders (often to countermand ones by Obama) and his cyber-bullying, Trump is essentially a passive participant in his own government.

— elizabeth drew, New Republic, "Who Knew Trump Would Be a Weak President?," 26 Oct. 2017
Nor do the president’s subordinates have the power to countermand him.

— andrew c. mccarthy, National Review, "Arpaio Pardon Shows the Futility of Mueller’s Obstruction Investigation," 2 Sep. 2017
Unlike other kinds of corruption, which can be countermanded with new laws, subpoenas, and other legislative tools, there is no direct way for Congress to stop Trump from pardoning anyone and everyone.

— brian beutler, New Republic, "Republicans Completely Own Trump’s Arpaio Pardon," 28 Aug. 2017
That would countermand more stringent rules, imposed by the two federal agencies in charge of protecting salmon, smelt and other endangered species in the Delta, that have been in place since 2009.

— ryan sabalow and dale kasler, sacbee, "The drought is over. Why are Republicans in Congress fighting for more water for farmers?," 20 July 2017
Numerous leaks in recent days claim the President is at odds with most of his senior team, allegedly deliberately countermanding their best advice like an obstreperous toddler.

— kate maltby, CNN, "Trump is making Theresa May's life miserable," 5 June 2017
But Mr. Trump countermanded them, refusing to make any long-term commitment.

— robert pear, New York Times, "Trump, Shouting ‘Death Spiral,’ Has Nudged Affordable Care Act Downward," 20 May 2017
Bossert countermanded a lower level manager who tried to stop the ball tossing.

— kirk mitchell, The Denver Post, "Racial and sexual discrimination alleged at Denver life insurance company," 23 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'countermand.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

In the military, one's mandate is to follow the commands (and sometimes the "countermands") of the officers. Doing their bidding is not particularly commendable - it's simply mandatory. The Latin verb mandare, meaning "to entrust" or "to order," is the authority behind "countermand." It's also behind the words "mandate," "command," "demand," "commend" (which can mean "to entrust" as well as "to praise"), and "mandatory." "Countermand" came to English via Anglo French, where the prefix cuntre- ("against") was combined with the verb "mander" ("to command"). It has been a part of our language since the 1400s.

Origin and Etymology of countermand

Middle English countermaunden, from Anglo-French cuntremander, from cuntre- counter- + mander to command, from Latin mandare — more at mandate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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