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
-
Bolsonaro was arrested and ultimately convicted of plotting a coup to overturn the results of that election.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
-
Hennis was initially convicted in state court in 1986, but the conviction was overturned on appeal because of evidentiary issues.—
Rena Rowe,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Days later, Congress overrode the veto.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
8 June 2026
-
That in itself would provide another strong argument for overriding such a veto.—
Steven Andreasen,
Twin Cities,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
An insurance mandate would decrease the taxpayer money spent on the HACCP, reducing the number of children who need the program’s assistance.—
Liana Handler
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
-
This structure allows advisory teams to focus on client outcomes rather than institutional growth mandates.—
Elie Nour,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The international airport in General Santos was temporarily shut due to the earthquake, and 17 domestic flights were canceled, civil aviation officials said.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
The county civil grand jury concluded the school board canceled the contract based on a misrepresentation of the facts, failed to act in students’ best interest, disparaged the school community and took actions that were supposed to be handled by district staff.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
It was vetoed, the override failed, and Chicago entered another summer with the same insufficient tools as the last.—
Desmon Yancy,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
-
Simulate the itinerary, then shadow real, messy trips with human override before full autonomy.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
According to Academy rules, the number of nominees in each category is determined by the volume of submissions, with the field expanding to a sixth lead or supporting nominee only once entries cross the 80-submission threshold.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
-
At first glance, FIFA’s new rule may appear as basic player safety.—
Dilan Gomih,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The Post’s analysis is based on the date the offenses occurred, not the year the teachers’ licenses were revoked, as the license actions routinely trail incidents by months or years.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
-
The single absence was Iran’s, after Taj had his Canadian visa revoked mid-flight for having once been a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, listed by Canada as a terrorist entity.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Countermand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countermand. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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