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
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
Their instructions in effect countermanded the order of Mr. Musk across much of the government, challenging the broad authority President Trump has given the world’s richest man to make drastic changes to the federal bureaucracy.
—Chris Cameron, New York Times, 23 Feb. 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
Noun
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
Their instructions in effect countermanded the order of Mr. Musk across much of the government, challenging the broad authority President Trump has given the world’s richest man to make drastic changes to the federal bureaucracy.
—Chris Cameron, New York Times, 23 Feb. 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
-
Another fumble, this one collected by the Buccaneers, was overturned on replay review.—
Matt Barrows,
New York Times,
14 Oct. 2025
-
His conviction was overturned in 2024 after an appeals court determined a juror had been improperly dismissed during deliberations.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Newsom signed their bills on Monday evening, hours before a deadline requiring him to sign or veto legislation elapsed.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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However, proponents of the bill say the veto will result in more exposure to toxic chemicals.—
Rachel Frazin,
The Hill,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Profitability Pivot Wall Street’s mandate for profitability has forced platforms to scrutinize development pipelines and optimize ROI.—
Alejandro Rojas,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
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On Thursday, the mandate of the steering committee was terminated.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But our flights had been canceled amid rocket fire and regional escalation, fallout from Israel’s latest offensive in Gaza and its war with Iran.—
Reem Kassis,
The Atlantic,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Despite Spapens’ declaration that the Disturbed concert is canceled, tickets for the gig are still listed on Live Nation, as well as still included on the band’s tour website.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some analysts warn that investors may now have to factor in political risk ranging from regulatory intervention to executive overrides.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Adoption will depend on notifications, override options, and transparency into agent decisions.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Anthropic updated the rule in July, allowing prospective hires to polish their resumes, cover letters, and applications with the advanced tech.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
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But Takaichi stood out for her rhetoric, vowing to crack down on rule-breaking visitors and immigrants.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The administration has also revoked visas for more than 20 judges in Brazil and 14 political and business figures in Costa Rica, including former president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Oscar Arias.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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More than a dozen others have also seen their visas revoked, according to Reuters.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
14 Oct. 2025
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 18 Oct. 2025.
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