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
Verb
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
-
The Virginia Court of Appeals overturned the verdict in 2024 and remanded it back to the lower court for a new trial.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The Wednesday ruling overturns much of that opinion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The result gives her the power to override any legislative veto from the Upper House, strengthening her ability to push her agenda through Japan's legislature.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
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The extension was approved by the Illinois General Assembly in the fall veto session, officials said.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Followers like Amresh Chawla say they are drawn to the group’s tenets of vegetarianism and strict moral code, specifically the mandate to shun intoxicants.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Lawmakers should invest in infrastructure, fund water projects and conservation, reduce unfunded mandates, and reward communities that plan responsibly and make development pay its own way.—
Sean Parks,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer.—
Nicole Acevedo,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
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China retaliated by canceling flights, restricting imports of Japanese seafood and ramping up military patrols, among other measures.—
Yumi Asada,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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Majeed, like Cunningham, faces multiple challengers after siding with Republicans on a veto override vote.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Nanos claimed Cross campaigned against him while wearing his Pima County Sheriff's uniform in breach of department rules, which Cross denied.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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Congress can add rules for federal races.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In addition, the California Department of Public Health revoked the licenses of more than 280 hospices over the past two years and has identified about 300 more hospices under review for possible license revocation, according to the governor’s office.—
Linh Tat,
Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
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The city closed Maht Gaek and revoked the establishment’s health permit until the violations could be corrected and a follow-up inspection conducted.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 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 13 Feb. 2026.
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