COUNTERMAND Synonyms: 164 Similar and Opposite Words

countermand 1 of 2

verb

Definition of countermand

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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countermand

2 of 2

noun

as in veto

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as in mandate

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of countermand

Verb

Advertisement But the Secretary General cannot countermand the nations. — Mark Webber, Time, 24 July 2026 Another said Trump is countermanding the Pentagon, which had made a decision without presidential approval. — Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025 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 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 See All Example Sentences for countermand

Recent Examples of Synonyms for countermand

Verb

The bankruptcy filing comes months after the Sacramento County Board of Education overturned Twin Rivers Unified’s decision to revoke the charters, and the district appealed that ruling to the California State Board of Education.

— Chaewon Chung Updated October 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
In September, Wagner heard arguments on Yust’s motion to overturn his convictions.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of overturn

Noun

Wednesday is the deadline for the governor to sign or veto bills.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
In his veto message Sunday, Newsom said the CSU and UC systems already have regularly scheduled meetings where the campus community can express themselves, rendering AB 2551’s open forums unnecessary.

— Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of veto

Noun

Areas at high risk of flooding and where few people are insured tend to be poorer, experts said, as are areas where FEMA's flood maps don't properly convey the severity of the risk or mandate that enough people buy coverage.

— MICHAEL PHILLIS, Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2026
Traffic has increased following the implementation of the return-to-office mandate, said 50 Corridor TMA in an Eventbrite post on the fair.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of mandate

Verb

Cage previously starred in the first two Ghost Rider movies, a franchise now being revived by Ryan Gosling, and as Spider-Noir in both the animated Beyond the Spider-Verse films and the live-action series Prime Video just canceled.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
One Elk Grove City Council race is on the ballot this November, after two other races were canceled and the incumbents were appointed to new terms because no challengers filed to run.

— Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of cancel

Noun

This veto override scenario would require a special session be called because the legislative session has ended, and the Legislature has 60 days from Newsom’s veto to override it.

— Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026
In 2017, Alabama abolished judicial override and stopped allowing judges to change juries' sentencing decision in capital cases.

— CBS News, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of override

Noun

The country held no direct presidential elections between 1960 and 1989, a period that included military rule from 1964 to 1985.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026
The company disputes that 27 odor complaints since 2024 and 67 videos of work being done outside permitted hours referenced in a city staff report represent actual violations of the city’s noise, odor and operating hour rules.

— Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of rule

Verb

The bankruptcy filing comes months after the Sacramento County Board of Education overturned Twin Rivers Unified’s decision to revoke the charters, and the district appealed that ruling to the California State Board of Education.

— Chaewon Chung Updated October 5, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026
On top of that, the government can revoke permanent residency for not meeting pension contribution obligations, failing to pay health insurance and taxes, and violating immigration law or the penal code.

— Jason Ma, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of revoke

Noun

The appropriate remedy is congressional overruling of the Marquette case so as to allow the states to regulate loans to their own citizens.

— George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026
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

Definition of overruling

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“Countermand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countermand. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of countermand

verb

noun

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