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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of countermand
Philip Elliott, Time, 25 Aug. 2021
Hutchinson could not countermand him.
—Stacy Schiff, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Sep. 2022
Trump’s argument by noting, among other reasons, that the former chief executive could not countermand the actual president on when executive privilege could be invoked.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 16 Nov. 2022
The way everything is structured, there's no way to countermand that, and it's done.
—WIRED, 8 Sep. 2022
See all Example Sentences for countermand 
Verb
More than a century later, Americans are still fighting for these rights as voting rights come under fire and Congress just this week started work on yet another outline to countermand state-level efforts to restrict voting in places like Georgia and Texas.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 25 Aug. 2021
Hutchinson could not countermand him.
—Stacy Schiff, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Sep. 2022
Trump’s argument by noting, among other reasons, that the former chief executive could not countermand the actual president on when executive privilege could be invoked.
—Matt Ford, The New Republic, 16 Nov. 2022
The way everything is structured, there's no way to countermand that, and it's done.
—WIRED, 8 Sep. 2022
See all Example Sentences for countermand
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countermand
Verb
-
The conflict over the Colorado River in many ways resembles California’s internal conflict, including an uncertainty over whether governments can overturn or ignore water rights stretching back to the 19th century.—
Dan Walters,
The Mercury News,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Speaker Adams said the City Council was exploring its options in overturning the City Hall's advice.—
Dan Gooding,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
However, is that the same as agreeing that Russia has veto rights over any Ukrainian membership of NATO?—
The Editors,
National Review,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The president should use his position to lead the conversation on debt reduction, propose spending restraint and veto irresponsible budgets.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Orange County Register,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Musk had not faced questions since taking the lead on Trump's mandate to dismantle federal agencies.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
11 Feb. 2025
-
The Charlotte Ledger newsletter first wrote about Belk’s return-to-office mandate.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Deployment to Ukraine is canceled, deployment to Gaza, however, is still on the table.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Black History Month is simply too ingrained now to cancel, Miletsky said.—
Deborah Barfield Berry,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
There were two parts of the override campaign that were critical to its success.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
-
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the veto override.—
Skyler Swisher,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Here's one of the best rules of an organized home: Everything should have a place.—
Zoe Gowen,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Yet even though the Catalans finally returned to the 1:1 rule under Financial Fair Play (FFP) limits at the turn of 2025, that never amounted to anything serious or concrete as the England international wound up at Premier League rival Aston Villa instead.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Finance/technology Trump revoked former President Biden's artificial intelligence guardrails and has since signed executive orders aimed at bolstering the country's competitiveness in AI and tech.—
Avery Lotz,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Trump’s order revokes a Biden policy phasing out federal purchases of single-use plastics in food service, events and packaging by […] Subscribe to continue reading this article.—
Carson Swick,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Steve Vladeck, a law professor at Georgetown University, said presidents can appeal adverse rulings rather than imply they shouldn't be followed.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
-
The lawsuit claims that L.A. Unified is denying arts instruction to students that is guaranteed by state law.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near countermand
Cite this Entry
“Countermand.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countermand. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share