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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Cleveland's most lasting mark came from his use of the veto pen.—
Jacob Lane The Chicago Tribune,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
-
However, the coalition would need at least 34 votes to override a potential mayoral veto of their ordinance, which seeks to halt the policy that servers be paid the city’s full minimum wage on top of tips starting in July 2028.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Many current biofuel mandates trace their origins to the 1970s energy shock, while the US Energy Independence and Security Act followed a 2007-08 price spike, said Dr Timothy Deehan, a senior oil analyst at LSEG.—
Natasha Bracken,
semafor.com,
19 Mar. 2026
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Speaking on the Tucker Carlson Show following his resignation from the NCC, Kent said his office initially pursued leads related to possible foreign connections in the case, which fell within its mandate.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Numerous artists have canceled performances and attendance has dropped off.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
As of the afternoon of March 15, 2,632 flights within, into, or out of the United States were delayed, and 1,678 were canceled, according to FlightAware.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
15 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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The tide, however, has turned around since 2024 after former ECB President Mario Draghi’s report for the European Commission, which argued that Europe’s economy is being held back by outdated competition rules.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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But the dispute is ultimately about more than one primary, one Senate rule, or one piece of legislation.—
W. James Antle III,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Court records show the judge also revoked her driver's license and ordered her to pay $10,000 in restitution, not have contact with the victim's family, complete 200 hours of community service and wear a curfew tether for 90 days.—
Nick Lentz,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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According to state law, permits are immediately revoked if a restaurant receives a score of less than 70%.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
12 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 21 Mar. 2026.
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