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
-
The measure, if approved for the ballot and passed by voters, would overturn the congressional map Missouri Republicans passed to oust Kansas City’s long-term Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
2 May 2026
-
The Republican president views the investments as critical for economic security and emblematic of his own dealmaking skills, overturning what had been GOP dogma that government should avoid picking winners and losers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Reviewing and deleting unnecessary spending via the line item veto or outright rejection for that particular spending program.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
The mayor’s veto eliminated a measure to reduce public hostility at a time of toxic divisions fraying the city.—
Andrew Cuomo,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Top-down mandates from Sacramento that make sense for a school in a wealthy ZIP code make no sense for one in a rural area.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
There were a lot more network mandates and a lot more production companies coming to us and making sure to have a diverse cast.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Travelers across South Jersey were scrambling after the sudden shutdown of Spirit Airlines, a major carrier at Atlantic City International Airport, leaving flights canceled and raising concerns about the region's tourism economy.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
-
The airline said on its website that all flights have been canceled and customer service is no longer available.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Annually update first responder interaction plans, access to manual vehicle override systems, two-way communication links with 30-second response times and training requirements to ensure safe and timely interactions.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
Considering an override and voluntary tax increase is a non-starter for Methuen residents, the mayor said.—
Kristina Rex,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Opponents to the change, however, say there will be no easy way to ensure people are following these rules, and various state gun laws, when mailing easily concealable handguns.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
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Energy experts in Sardinia are also working with policymakers to change the rules around grid-connection requests.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te arrived in Eswatini on Saturday after three countries revoked flight permits, reportedly due to Chinese pressure.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Meta’s threat to revoke social media access in the state altogether was not taken lightly by Torrez.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
1 May 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
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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 8 May. 2026.
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