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
Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 9 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 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
See All Example Sentences for countermand
Noun
The Manhattan court countermanded the intransigence of the court stenographers and directed the daily publication of the Trump transcripts on a court website.
—Nick Akerman, New York Daily News, 9 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 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
See All Example Sentences for countermand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countermand
Verb
-
But the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that decision last year.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 July 2025
-
The bill, which Gov. Mike Kehoe is expected to sign and would begin Aug. 28, would overturn sick leave provisions included in a ballot measure that Missouri voters approved last year.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Noun
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Republicans in the Legislature put the measure on the ballot, bypassing a likely veto by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs.—
Ray Stern,
AZCentral.com,
11 July 2025
-
The state legislature sought to overturn the veto, but failed by two votes.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Under its two congressional mandates, the central bank reduces rates to lower borrowing costs for Americans and bolster a sluggish economy.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
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Regulatory Push: Data-sovereignty rules in the EU, U.S. federal AI-risk guidelines and industry-specific mandates (HIPAA, FINRA) all quietly favor keeping sensitive model development closer to home turf.—
Baris Kavakli,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Verb
-
Twenty-four flights have been canceled at DIA as of 4:30 p.m. A ground delay has been issued at DIA from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
8 July 2025
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On June 18, the Princess of Wales canceled her appearance at Royal Ascot at the last minute.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
While these headphones are volume-limited, there is an override designed for noisy environments like flights.—
Simon Hill Adrienne So,
Wired News,
6 July 2025
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This override, or preemption, would require that the standard of liability for any actions brought in court be comparable negligence and not absolute liability.—
Nick Langworthy,
New York Daily News,
3 July 2025
Noun
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Around the country, state lawmakers are twisting tax codes, raiding campus funds and rewriting financial rules to keep their flagship programs competitive.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 July 2025
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The rules on how the league decides on replacements are not public.—
Matt Gelb,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Verb
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The agencies are also revoking approval for two food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—and plan to approve four new natural colorings for food.—
Alice Park,
Time,
7 July 2025
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Reservations required: Which national parks require them in 2025 Unrelated, the executive order also revokes a presidential memorandum signed by then-President Barack Obama in 2017 that promoted a range of diversity and inclusion efforts in the management of national parks and other public lands.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
5 July 2025
Noun
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The House passed the Senate version of the BBB on July 3; President Trump signed the bill into law on July 4th.—
Martin Shenkman,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
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Sotomayor wrote her own dissent of the majority’s ruling that fuel producers can challenge California emissions standards under a federal air pollution law.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Countermand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countermand. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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