WordGarden.iocountermand
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /kˈaʊntəmˌænd/
US
- /ˈkaʊntərˌmænd/transitivenoun
Meanings
Verb
to cancel or revoke a previous order or instruction
Noun
an order that cancels or reverses an earlier order
Beyond the definition
Imagine a king sends out orders but then changes his mind. To countermand those original orders is to officially cancel them—to say, "never mind!" It's like hitting the "undo" button on a command. A general might countermand an order to advance if they spot enemy reinforcements, or a boss might countermand vacation approval if the company is facing a crisis. The key is that someone with authority revokes something previously authorized. You wouldn't countermand your friend's suggestion for dinner—you lack the power!
To countermand means to revoke, cancel, or overrule an order, instruction, or command. It implies a higher authority stepping in to negate a previous directive. The word comes from the Old French contremander, meaning "to oppose an order."
Historically, it was often used in military and legal contexts—think of a commanding officer countermanding a junior officer's order, or a higher court countermanding a lower court's order. However, its usage has broadened to encompass any situation where an earlier instruction is officially canceled by someone with the power to do so.
For example: "The CEO countermanded the marketing department's plan after receiving negative feedback from investors." Or, "Despite the initial approval, the city council countermanded the building permit due to environmental concerns." It's important to note that countermand isn't just about changing your mind; it requires a formal act of cancellation by someone in a position of authority. You wouldn't countermand a casual request—you reject or decline those. But when an official order is involved and someone with the power to do so steps in to cancel it, that's when you use countermand. It speaks to a shift in direction, a reversal of course, and the exercise of authority.
Less commonly, it can also be a noun: a countermand is the order (or message) that cancels an earlier one.
Examples
- 1
Military order
The general countermanded the order before the troops moved out.
- 2
Workplace instructions
A last-minute email from headquarters countermanded the earlier instructions.
- 3
Authority reversal
The director tried to countermand her deputy, but the staff had already started the project.
- Patterncountermand someone
officially cancel or reverse what they have ordered
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- countermand an order
- countermand a directive
- countermand instructions
Word family
Explore
- revocation
- chain of command
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- countermandverbnoun
Forms
- countermandedpast tenseverbnoun
- countermanding-ing formverbnoun
- countermandsverbnoun