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
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Spoelstra used his coach’s challenge on an offensive foul committed by Adebayo that Miami had zero chance of overturning.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
14 Mar. 2026
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Five tornadoes ripped through parts of three Eastern North Carolina counties on Thursday, March 12, injuring a person in a home, tearing roofs, slicing trees and overturning campers, the National Weather Service reported late Friday.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That prompted a complete collapse of the negotiations, then passage of the bill as written and, finally, Polis' veto.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2026
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Majeed voted with Republicans to override Stein’s veto of a controversial bill about sexuality, religion in schools and school libraries.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At issue are California’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulations, which were adopted in 2022 and established several requirements for automakers, including the 2035 zero-emission sales mandate.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
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Ellison bought the anti-woke, pro-Israel Free Press and installed its founder atop CBS News with a mandate to shake up the network.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Naval air stations in the Central Valley city of Lemoore and El Centro in Imperial County canceled public air shows planned for this month out of safety concerns.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Majeed also faces backlash for siding with Republicans on a veto override.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Feb. 2026
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If Kelly vetoed the legislation, a veto override would take the support of two-thirds of lawmakers in each chamber — a threshold the Senate fell well short of on Wednesday.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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One important rule for the event to be successful is that the donations are clean and acceptable for reuse.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
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While that hit was within the rules, his collision with Matthews wasn’t even close.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Unfortunately, this amendment was reversed by claims that the film industry in Colorado would collapse and Sundance would not come to Colorado if those funds were revoked.—
Bob Marshall,
Denver Post,
8 Mar. 2026
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The caucus and the Sikh Coalition had originally filed a lawsuit in December 2025, alleging California did not follow the proper process and broke state law by revoking the licenses.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 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 15 Mar. 2026.
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