countermand
verb
coun·ter·mand
| \ ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌmand
, ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈmand
\
, ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈmand
\
countermanded;
countermanding;
countermands
Definition of countermand
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: to revoke (a command) by a contrary order
2
: to recall or order back by a superseding contrary order
countermand reinforcements
countermand
noun
coun·ter·mand
| \ ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌmand
\
\
Definition of countermand (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: a contrary order
2
: the revocation of an order or command
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Examples of countermand in a Sentence
Verb
Orders to blow up the bridge were countermanded.Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The refusal to countermand organizations like the National Rifle Association that roadblock efforts to address common-sense gun laws. — John D'anna, azcentral, "Spiritual leader of Arizona Methodists calls flock to action on gun violence, racism," 7 Aug. 2019 The move is unlikely to amount to much, the product of a procedural mechanism that seems easy to countermand. — Ellen Mcgirt, Fortune, "A Reminder of the Power of Art: raceAhead," 17 July 2019 The announcement, made yesterday by Vice President Pence, countermands a decision by the Navy to retire the carrier early to save money. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Why the Navy Won’t Retire the USS Truman Early," 1 May 2019 The power struggle turns tragic when Khrushchev countermands Beria's order to shut down the rail lines while Stalin lies in state and a flood of mourners into Moscow results in Soviet security forces slaughtering 1,500 people. — J.r. Jones, Chicago Reader, "The Death of Stalin shines a light on Lavrenti Beria, head of the Soviet Union’s dreaded secret police.," 15 Mar. 2018 That would countermand more stringent rules, imposed by the two federal agencies in charge of protecting salmon, smelt and other endangered species in the Delta, that have been in place since 2009. — Ryan Sabalow And Dale Kasler, sacbee, "The drought is over. Why are Republicans in Congress fighting for more water for farmers?," 20 July 2017 Bossert countermanded a lower level manager who tried to stop the ball tossing. — Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, "Racial and sexual discrimination alleged at Denver life insurance company," 23 Jan. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'countermand.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for countermand
countermand
verb
English Language Learners Definition of countermand
formal
: to cancel (an order) especially by giving a new order
See the full definition for countermand in the English Language Learners Dictionary
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