as in to overturn
formal
to cancel (an order) especially by giving a new order
Orders to blow up the bridge were countermanded.
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in veto
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in mandate
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of countermand
George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 2 July 2025
We also were concerned that if the anti-congestion pricing Donald Trump was returned to the White House, the tolls that began later on would be at a greater risk of being countermanded by Washington.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
What remains will be countermanded at the next change in power, the countermander then adding his or her new round of decrees, and on and on.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 30 May 2025
The concept of a deep state is valuable in its original context, the study of developing countries such as Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey, where shadowy elites in the military and government ministries have been known to countermand or simply defy democratic directives.
—Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
See All Example Sentences for countermand
Verb
Trump’s Achilles’ heel, where his policies may yet be countermanded by the judicial branch, are his arbitrary tariffs, having their root in a delegation as broad as that for FDR’s National Recovery Administration.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 2 July 2025
We also were concerned that if the anti-congestion pricing Donald Trump was returned to the White House, the tolls that began later on would be at a greater risk of being countermanded by Washington.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
What remains will be countermanded at the next change in power, the countermander then adding his or her new round of decrees, and on and on.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 30 May 2025
The concept of a deep state is valuable in its original context, the study of developing countries such as Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey, where shadowy elites in the military and government ministries have been known to countermand or simply defy democratic directives.
—Jon D. Michaels, Foreign Affairs, 15 Aug. 2017
See All Example Sentences for countermand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countermand
Verb
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Detectives said a passerby found the 60-year-old man partially sitting in a wheelchair that was overturned.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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Prior to his 2011 conviction, Jeffs was charged and convicted of being an accomplice to rape in September 2007 after coercing a 14-year-old to marry her 19-year-old cousin, though the ruling was later overturned by the Utah Supreme Court over faulty jury instructions, according to CBS News.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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While Hungary is a member of the European Union, Orbán has repeatedly attacked the it and clashed with his European counterparts on several issues, including Russia's war in Ukraine, using his veto power to try to block the EU's efforts to support Ukraine.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Orbán has wielded unprecedented veto power to block EU decisions on Ukraine aid, sanctions and critical issues, exposing what critics call a design flaw.—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Bonta, a Democrat, said in court filings that Bianco had not provided any evidence of a crime — a legal mandate for a seizure and search — and that the sheriff was required to follow his order, as California’s chief law officer, to stop his investigation.—
Bob Egelko,
San Francisco Chronicle,
9 Apr. 2026
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For a place all too keen to forget the old in favor of new stars, new mandates, and new trends, Hollywood had a peculiar way of never letting Bernard forget her.—
Joshua John Miller,
Vanity Fair,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This comes after Meghan's show With Love, Meghan, was canceled after two seasons.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
12 Apr. 2026
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Electronic musician Anyma is speaking out after his Coachella set was canceled due to severe weather condititions early Saturday morning.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Recent poll results shared at a Tuesday night hearing showed 55% of those in a random sample were favorable to a mill levy override.—
Olivia Young,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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Finally, the Ricoh C125 P has a 250-sheet capacity input tray, a single-sheet override input tray, and an optional 500-sheet paper tray.—
David English,
PC Magazine,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For years, legislators and Newsom have approved an array of changes not just to CEQA but also state housing rules that leave local officials with fewer lawful reasons to reject developments.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Violence is used to enforce discipline, and those accused of theft or rule violations may be executed or disappeared.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
That status was revoked this week, Walker said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Apr. 2026
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The Department of Human Services did not provide details as to why the licenses were revoked.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In recent years, the court’s conservative majority overruling of major, longstanding precedents has become a defining feature of Roberts’ tenure.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Countermand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countermand. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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