Skip to main content

countermandto cancel or revoke a previous order or command

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to cancel or revoke a previous order or command

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkaʊntərˌmænd/

Example Sentences

  • The CEO countermanded the marketing team's decision to launch the ad campaign after seeing the controversial content
  • Mom countermanded dad's permission for ice cream when she found out we hadn't done our homework
  • The automated system countermanded the launch sequence when it detected an anomaly

countermand

VERB

[/ˈkaʊntərˌmænd/]

to cancel or revoke a previous order or command

The general rushed in to countermand the previous order before the cannons fired.
💡 Concept

The general rushed in to countermand the previous order before the cannons fired.

First I command, then countermand - hard to understand!
🎵 Rhyme

First I command, then countermand - hard to understand!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈkaʊntərˌmænd/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈkaʊntəmɑːnd/

🌳Etymology

Prefixcounter--
Rootmand

Origin

From Middle French contremander, derived from Old French contre- (against) and mander (to command, from Latin mandare meaning to order or entrust).

Breakdown

counter- (against) + mand (command, from Latin mandare) + -er (verb suffix) = countermand

🎵Rhyme

commanddemandexpandunderstand
command
demand
expand
understand

🔗Collocations

countermand an order
countermand instructions
military countermand
countermand a decision
emergency countermand
countermand authorization

📝Examples

The CEO countermanded the marketing team's decision to launch the ad campaign after seeing the controversial content

😄 Fun example

Mom countermanded dad's permission for ice cream when she found out we hadn't done our homework

The automated system countermanded the launch sequence when it detected an anomaly

The king's messenger arrived breathlessly to countermand the execution order

📚Related Words

Synonyms

revokecancelrescindwithdrawretract

Antonyms

confirmenforcemaintain

Related

commandmandateoverridevetonullify

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.