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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Seda also said that more than 100 vehicles were damaged, with some overturning on the roadside and in parking bays.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Similar laws have been overturned by courts as an unconstitutional burden on voting rights.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The state's governor, currently Democrat Josh Stein, is not allowed to veto maps passed by the General Assembly.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
This new law, called the House Substitute for Senate Bill 244, passed after legislators overrode the governor’s veto to rush it through legislation.—
Noelle Martin,
The Conversation,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But instead of helping the Postal Service, Steiner said regulators and Congress have imposed costly mandates.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
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The company argues any retail coin program is a mint and exceeds the Texas Bullion Depository’s mandate.—
Paul Flahive,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Naval air stations in the Central Valley city of Lemoore and El Centro in Imperial County canceled public air shows planned for this month out of safety concerns.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Majeed also faces backlash for siding with Republicans on a veto override.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Feb. 2026
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If Kelly vetoed the legislation, a veto override would take the support of two-thirds of lawmakers in each chamber — a threshold the Senate fell well short of on Wednesday.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On a call from Mexico on Thursday with reporters, Estrada Juarez, 42, said DACA was supposed to protect people like her who work hard and follow the rules.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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For details on other rules, like how many and what kinds of fish anglers can bring home, or where and how to get needed licenses and permits, visit the Unified Government’s Fishing and Boating website.—
Sofi Zeman
March 5,
Kansas City Star,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Unfortunately, this amendment was reversed by claims that the film industry in Colorado would collapse and Sundance would not come to Colorado if those funds were revoked.—
Bob Marshall,
Denver Post,
8 Mar. 2026
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The caucus and the Sikh Coalition had originally filed a lawsuit in December 2025, alleging California did not follow the proper process and broke state law by revoking the licenses.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 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 9 Mar. 2026.
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