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
-
Trump had appointed − Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett − joined the 6-3 majority that overturned his emergency tariffs.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Lupel continued working to get Dotson’s rape conviction overturned until withdrawing as his attorney in 1986.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The council majority could pass its plan without input from Lee, who does not hold veto power.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2026
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The veto was a victory for businesses that sell those kinds of products, but a federal ban is still scheduled to go into effect later this year.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This would support an argument to cut because inflation is relatively steady (one part of the Fed’s mandate), while employment (another part) is showing signs of weakness, which a base rate cut could help address.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
19 Feb. 2026
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There has been no mandate from the FIA that teams must use the new fuels through preseason, and a Mercedes spokesperson declined to reveal what type of fuel the team had been using at testing beyond it being supplied by Petronas.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Airlines canceled flights and cultural events were postponed as Cuba endures its worst fuel shortage in years, harming tourism and the broader economy.—
Andrea Rodriguez,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
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But with one principal calling football worse than bull fighting, high school games were cancelled in Kansas City in 1906 and 1907 and there was talk of replacing it with soccer football.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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The override was welcomed by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which lobbied for its initial passing — though the Uber union, the Independent Driver’s Guild, which opposed the bill, vowed his group would push to modify the law, which is set to go into effect in July, through future legislation.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The comments followed controversy over Stephen Colbert's assertions that CBS decided not to air its interview with Talarico because of the rule.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
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Venezuelan lawmakers on Thursday passed new legislation that gives amnesty to hundreds of people who were prosecuted or convicted for political reasons during 27 years of authoritarian rule.—
Alessandra Freitas,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last week, the Miami-Dade commissioner representing that area of Kendall, Raquel Regalado, filed legislation to ban the feeding of stray animals outside of businesses or in public parks but ultimately revoked it after receiving backlash.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
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No body that can be confined or restrained; no social or institutional standing to revoke; no reputation to damage.—
Deb Roy,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 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 22 Feb. 2026.
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