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 vehicle overturned and McClure was ejected from it.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
10 Nov. 2025
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The justices are also deciding whether to overturn restrictions on coordinated spending between parties and candidates, whether to curtail protections against racial discrimination in voting, and when candidates can contest an Illinois election law similar to Mississippi’s.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In an eleventh-hour attempt to politically have their cake and eat it too, Senate Democrats followed their 13th consecutive veto of the GOP’s clean spending bill, which would reopen the government.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Oct. 2025
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Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of Assembly Bill 255 makes stories like Michelle’s almost impossible to repeat within the state’s homelessness system.—
Michele Steeb,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The pause grants the White House more time to argue its case against the mandate, which critics say could have strained federal resources, while supporters viewed it as essential to safeguarding food security for millions of low-income Americans.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
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That 5-million-square-foot sorting and handling site temporarily closed midweek due to a cargo plane crash on location, already causing shipment delays ahead of the FAA mandate.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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While it's left some passengers making backup plans and reserving rental cars, the flights canceled Friday represented just a small portion of overall flights nationwide.—
JOSH FUNK,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
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If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed due to the cuts, you’re legally entitled to a cash refund, not just some future credit.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The district worked closely with parents to address their needs and proposed the override to tackle school safety, security, and music and art programs — key concerns among the community.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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Nearly 200 of the state’s 351 cities and towns have pursued zero overrides over the past 15 years, the MMA found in its study.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Under the rule, the agency could ask for facial images, iris scans, finger and palm prints, voice prints and even DNA.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
8 Nov. 2025
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Students already in medical school who have taken out federal loans before the new rules take effect on July 1 will be exempted from the cap.—
Tribune News Service,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In 2018, Klingler was charged with driving while his license was suspended or revoked.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
11 Nov. 2025
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Immigration officials accused him only of overstaying his visa after it was revoked without prior notice, and no criminal or security allegations were filed.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 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 17 Nov. 2025.
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