as in to overturn
formal
to cancel (an order) especially by giving a new order
Orders to blow up the bridge were countermanded.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in veto
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in mandate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of countermand
Chris Cameron, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
The ship’s first mate ordered the Arlington onto a course to hug the Canadian North Shore, which would have provided some cover from wind and waves, but Burke countermanded and ordered his ship back onto a course across the open lake, the discoverers said.
—Apress, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2024
His words highlight the fallacy that military leaders might act as a check on political leaders bent on starting a nuclear war: military officials in Cuba were never going to countermand political authorities in Moscow.
—Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2023
Captain Burke, however, countermanded the order and ordered his ship back on its course across the open lake.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for countermand
Verb
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 ship’s first mate ordered the Arlington onto a course to hug the Canadian North Shore, which would have provided some cover from wind and waves, but Burke countermanded and ordered his ship back onto a course across the open lake, the discoverers said.
—Apress, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2024
His words highlight the fallacy that military leaders might act as a check on political leaders bent on starting a nuclear war: military officials in Cuba were never going to countermand political authorities in Moscow.
—Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 3 Apr. 2023
Captain Burke, however, countermanded the order and ordered his ship back on its course across the open lake.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for countermand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countermand
Verb
-
The measure is designed to overturn a series of executive orders by Trump, including banning transgender troops in the U.S. military and blocking transgender students from playing on girls’ sports teams.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2025
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In May 2025, two people pleaded guilty for their roles in what prosecutors called a plot by Bravo to overturn his conviction.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
20 June 2025
Noun
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Lutnick said the share gives the U.S. president veto power over any decision to relocate U.S. Steel's headquarters, move the company outside the U.S., rename U.S. Steel, transfer production or jobs outside the U.S., and close or idle plants before certain time frames.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
16 June 2025
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The president can also name one of the corporate board’s independent directors, and has veto power over the other two.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
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Failure to acquire the additional capacity would mean HSBC’s return-to-office mandate could be dead on arrival, with thousands of staff unable to find desk space at the bank’s buildings.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
23 June 2025
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This constitutional challenge reflects broader national tensions over religious expression in public education, with the mandate previously receiving support from President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 June 2025
Verb
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Senate lawmakers from both parties clashed with Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, on Wednesday over the Trump administration's proposal to cancel billions in federal spending on foreign aid, public broadcasting and global health programs.—
Sonam Sheth
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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The Department of Transportation is free to update its guidance about how that program is administered moving forward, Lin wrote, but that does not require suspending the distribution of money — and should not involve canceling plans that were already approved.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Mary Jo Cain Reis, who says her father, of Cocoa Beach, was a victim of medical negligence, is already talking to the lawmakers to garner support for an override of the veto.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
29 May 2025
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Lawmakers also nearly issued the first veto override of Gov. Jared Polis’ seven-session tenure as part of a greater bucking of the state’s chief executive that also included sidestepping his desire to delay new artificial intelligence regulations.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
10 May 2025
Noun
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But if Ayatollah Khamenei and his regime is seriously weakened that could destabilize the rule of the theocrats.—
Ian Pannell,
ABC News,
18 June 2025
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The proposal added that a penalty would be assessed on any offensive player who violated the rule.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Children's Health Defense has sued to curb vaccine requirements, petitioned federal agencies to revoke vaccine authorizations and spread misinformation about vaccines.—
Paula Cohen,
CBS News,
25 June 2025
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Advertisement In other cases, however, the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Administration on immigration, giving it legroom to revoke temporary legal protections and deport many migrants—including to countries other than their own.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
And American law, then as now, tends to favor legacy over hustle.—
Aron Solomon
June 24,
Literary Hub,
24 June 2025
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James Gabbert/Getty Images The Context Texas law allows people with a license to conceal carry a gun and to possess that gun on college campuses.—
Sophie Clark
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Countermand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countermand. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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