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
Verb
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
-
Knox was initially convicted of murder in 2009 and saw her conviction overturned by an Italian court in 2011.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Plans to build 83 single-family homes at the edge of Guajome Regional Park, south of state Route 76 near Oceanside’s border with Vista, were unanimously overturned Wednesday by the Oceanside City Council.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said that veto must be reversed as part of a tax-relief deal.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
After that, the map would go to the governor for his approval or veto.—
Hank Beckman,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As always, the Fed faces its dual mandates for stable consumer prices that will grow at a relatively low and even rate, and for maximum employment, given current economic conditions.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Later, when the Biden Administration issued vaccine mandates, that fight was taken up by rising conservatives such as the governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After the devastating Eaton and Palisades wildfire turned the annual event into more of a fundraising effort last year — Davis’ party was one of the few Grammy Week events that wasn’t canceled in 2025 — the 2026 edition went back to its more traditionally celebratory feel.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Miami flight cancellations The effects of Winter Storm Gianna has caused 20 flights to be canceled in and out of Miami International Airport.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The override was welcomed by the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which lobbied for its initial passing — though the Uber union, the Independent Driver’s Guild, which opposed the bill, vowed his group would push to modify the law, which is set to go into effect in July, through future legislation.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
29 Jan. 2026
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Majeed, like Cunningham, faces multiple challengers after siding with Republicans on a veto override vote.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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All of Russia is centered around Putin’s rule, and Putin is represented as the powerful male leader upon whose shoulders Russian greatness rests.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The rules of polite society would bar this particular group from fraternizing together in such a heedless manner, but the Bridgerton wrap party brought the crew together for what appears to have been a very good time indeed.—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As of mid-2024, the NAU chapters of Delta Chi and Sigma Pi were suspended for multiple years, with their national organizations also revoking the chapters’ charters, according to the university website.—
Kathy Tulumello,
AZCentral.com,
1 Feb. 2026
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Like DuBois, Robeson’s passport was ultimately revoked, amounting to a kind of imprisonment, Bryant writes.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 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 4 Feb. 2026.
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