as in to overturn
formal
to cancel (an order) especially by giving a new order
Orders to blow up the bridge were countermanded.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in veto
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in mandate
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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
-
At least some of Mahajan's family managed to jump out safely, but Mahajan was still inside when the carriage clipped another horse carriage and overturned.
-
As of mid-June, no state insurance AI rule has been challenged in court, let alone overturned.
Noun
-
The political landscape around data centers has since changed since Newsom’s veto in October, said Dan Schnur, a political science professor who teaches at UC Berkeley and USC.
-
Kansas lawmakers last year failed to get the two-thirds support needed to call themselves into a special session on redistricting and override a potential veto by the Democratic governor.
Noun
-
The flu vaccine was first mandated for troops in 1945, leading to millions of vaccinations, according to a 2022 analysis of vaccine mandates in the military.
-
Most states have mandates requiring private insurers to cover ABA or other behavioral interventions for children with autism, Halladay said.
Verb
-
Concerns about his takeover of traditionally nonpolitical celebrations have led some states to decline participating in Washington events and some entertainers to cancel plans to perform at them.
-
Several pre-tournament warmup games were canceled.
Noun
-
Alabama ended the practice of judicial override in 2017 and no longer allows a judge to disregard a jury’s sentencing decision in death penalty cases.
-
But using override authority allowed under Alabama law, the judge in the case sentenced Lee to death.
Noun
-
The board removed its previous time limit rule at public comment sessions during board meetings when more than 20 speakers are signed up.
-
For county-specific labels like Napa or Sonoma, the 75% rule applies.
Verb
-
Valentin, whose license was already revoked in New York at the time, fled the scene to New Jersey.
-
Iran's training base was relocated from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, and the team's ticket allocation was revoked days before the tournament began.
Noun
-
The appropriate remedy is congressional overruling of the Marquette case so as to allow the states to regulate loans to their own citizens.
-
In recent years, the court’s conservative majority overruling of major, longstanding precedents has become a defining feature of Roberts’ tenure.
Cite this Entry
“Countermand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countermand. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
