countermand

[koun-ter-mand, -mahnd, koun-ter-mand, -mahnd, koun-ter-mand, -mahnd]

verb (used with object)

1. to revoke or cancel (a command, order, etc.).

   Synonyms: recall, overrule, abrogate, rescind

2. to recall or stop by a contrary order.

noun

1. a command, order, etc., revoking a previous one.

countermand

verb

1. to revoke or cancel (a command, order, etc)

2. to order (forces, etc) to return or retreat; recall

noun

1. a command revoking another

Other Word Forms

• countermandable adjective
• uncountermandable adjective
• uncountermanded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of countermand¹

1375–1425; late Middle English countermaunden < Anglo-French countermander < Middle French contremander, equivalent to contre- counter- + mander to command < Latin mandāre; mandate

Word History and Origins

Origin of countermand¹

C15: from Old French contremander, from contre- _counter- + mander to command, from Latin mandāre; see _mandate

Example Sentences

“The Proclamation does precisely that: It blatantly contravenes the fees Congress has set for the H-1B program and countermands Congress’s judgment.”

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Having to repeatedly countermand your own incoherent policies is a sign of weakness.

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But several policing experts said that creating that kind of training presented a challenge because countermanding orders from an incident commander went against the very orientation of most police departments.

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Prelogar’s petition said both the judge in Texas and the 5th Circuit countermanded the FDA’s scientific judgment and would unleash “regulatory chaos.”

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Prelogar’s petition said both the Texas judge and the 5th Circuit countermanded FDA’s scientific judgment and would unleash “regulatory chaos.”

Read more on Washington Post