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
Noun
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
-
An outside hearing examiner overturned the December dismissal of Matthew Krueger, saying there was no cause to support any disciplinary action, according to a Facebook post by the Fort Worth Police Officers Association.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
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The administration contends the law is unconstitutional, asserting an expansive view of presidential power that could prompt the Supreme Court to overturn what remains of its 90-year-old precedent upholding such removal protections.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Congress previously voted to repeal the law, but then-President Joe Biden blocked the repeal with a presidential veto.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Now that the process has been initiated, the Security Council must vote within 30 days on a resolution to continue Iran‘s sanctions relief, requiring at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Russia, China, Britain, or France to pass.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Ladapo announced that Florida would be working to end all vaccine mandates in the state.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Venice chief Alberto Barbera staying put Prior to Venice, rumors began to swirl about who might replace artistic director Alberto Barbera, whose current mandate expires after the 2026 edition.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In the last few years, Beyoncé, Pink, and Noah Kahan, among others, have had concerts canceled or delayed by extreme lightning, rain, or wildfire smoke.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
6 Sep. 2025
-
On social media, Marquette announced that all athletic events for the weekend would be canceled, and a special mass for the school community was held on Saturday afternoon.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This can be achieved by establishing clear operational roles for every agent, implementing mechanisms for human review and override of high-impact decisions.—
Perry Carpenter,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Fewer support the move needed to do so, an override of the state’s independent redistricting commission — suggesting those pushing the effort would need to do some convincing between now and November.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
All in all, Southern small talk rules are a fickle thing to follow.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Lawmakers in many states have changed the rules in recent decades to protect winners from being targeted by criminals and unscrupulous people asking for money.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In March, Gabbard revoked security clearances for former Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and former national security adviser Jake Sullivan, along with other Biden administration officials.—
Mike Brest,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Sep. 2025
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Sounders staff member Steven Lenhart, who joined the club this season as a mental health advisor, had his credential privileges revoked for the remainder of the 2025 MLS regular season and postseason.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The grants were allocated under President Joe Biden's signature Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, an anti-gun violence law signed after the mass school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Aside from his signature 2021 criminal justice bill, Cooper signed legislation into law in 2020, allowing judges to reduce mandatory minimum sentences mandated by law for drug offenders.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Countermand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countermand. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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