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
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
Their instructions in effect countermanded the order of Mr. Musk across much of the government, challenging the broad authority President Trump has given the world’s richest man to make drastic changes to the federal bureaucracy.
—Chris Cameron, New York Times, 23 Feb. 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
Noun
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
Their instructions in effect countermanded the order of Mr. Musk across much of the government, challenging the broad authority President Trump has given the world’s richest man to make drastic changes to the federal bureaucracy.
—Chris Cameron, New York Times, 23 Feb. 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
-
In June, a three-judge panel had ruled unanimously that teaching yoga is protected speech and that city officials had failed to show how the classes threaten public safety or prevent enjoyment of the city’s shoreline parks, overturning a lower court’s ruling.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Sep. 2025
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Another company explored the Bend and Reef deposits in 2011 and 2012, but since then no further action was taken, partially due to a mining moratorium in Wisconsin in place until the state Legislature overturned it in 2017.—
Laura Schulte,
jsonline.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Ohio House Republicans voted to override this particular veto in July.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The measure—authored by State Senator Scott Wiener—follows last year’s veto of a stricter bill that was roundly opposed by Silicon Valley heavyweights and AI companies.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But on Friday, the Supreme Court shot down that mandate, leaving hundreds of thousands even more fearful of what might happen next as immigration officers round up Venezuelans with TPS throughout the country.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
4 Oct. 2025
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Schools must follow state mandates on instructional hours, but states typically don’t set strict rules on how long a lunch period should be, so some principals whittle it down to twenty or twenty-five minutes.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
An upcoming Chris Brown concert, scheduled to take place in Memphis, Tennessee, has been cancelled two weeks ahead of showtime.—
John Beifuss,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Future Ruins, the inaugural film-music festival run by Oscar-winning duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, has been canceled.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some analysts warn that investors may now have to factor in political risk ranging from regulatory intervention to executive overrides.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
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Adoption will depend on notifications, override options, and transparency into agent decisions.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Schools must follow state mandates on instructional hours, but states typically don’t set strict rules on how long a lunch period should be, so some principals whittle it down to twenty or twenty-five minutes.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
-
According to the rules laid down by Nobel in his 1895 will, the prizes can only honor up to three people per award — a growing challenge given the collaborative nature of much scientific research.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In April, more than 4,700 international students across the country had their immigration status revoked before it was unexpectedly restored weeks later.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Sep. 2025
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Each person controls who can use their likeness and can revoke or delete any cameo videos.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Safety information California law states that everyone under the age of 18 years must wear a bike helmet while riding a bicycle.—
Carlos Rico,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Sep. 2025
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Vedra and other debt law experts said a high rate of default judgments indicates a system that favors the pursuers over the pursued — and increases the chances someone will be harmed by an erroneous bill.—
Rae Ellen Bichell,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Countermand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countermand. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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