Countermand: meaning, definitions and examples
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countermand
[ ˌkaʊntərˈmænd ]
command reversal
To countermand means to revoke or cancel a command or order that has previously been issued. It often implies the authority to override an earlier directive, thus changing or nullifying its effect.
Synonyms
annul, overrule, rescind, revoke.
Examples of usage
- The general decided to countermand the earlier orders due to new intelligence.
- She had to countermand her previous announcement when more information became available.
- The CEO countermanded the decision made by her subordinates after reviewing the implications.
Translations
Translations of the word "countermand" in other languages:
🇵🇹 revogar
- anular
- contraordenação
🇮🇳 वापस लेना
- निरस्त करना
- आदेश को पलटना
🇩🇪 widerrufen
- stornieren
- gegenbefehl
🇮🇩 membatalkan
- membalikkan
- perintah balasan
🇺🇦 скасувати
- анулювати
- протилежний наказ
🇵🇱 cofnąć
- unieważnić
- sprzeczny rozkaz
🇯🇵 取り消す
- 無効にする
- 逆命令
🇫🇷 révoquer
- annuler
- contre-ordre
🇪🇸 revocar
- anular
- contramando
🇹🇷 iptal etmek
- geri almak
- karşı emir
🇰🇷 철회하다
- 무효화하다
- 반대 명령
🇸🇦 إلغاء
- سحب
- أمر مضاد
🇨🇿 zrušit
- odvolat
- protichůdný příkaz
🇸🇰 zrušiť
- odvolať
- protikladný príkaz
🇨🇳 撤销
- 取消
- 反命令
🇸🇮 preklicati
- razveljaviti
- nasprotni ukaz
🇮🇸 aftaka
- ógilda
- andstæð fyrirmæli
🇰🇿 жою
- күшін жою
- қарсы бұйрық
🇬🇪 გაუქმება
- უკან წაღება
- საწინააღმდეგო ბრძანება
🇦🇿 lüzumsuz saymaq
- ləğv etmək
- əks əmr
🇲🇽 revocar
- anular
- contramando
Etymology
The term 'countermand' originates from the late Middle English period, derived from the Latin root 'mandare' meaning 'to order' or 'to entrust.' The prefix 'counter-' is used to denote opposition or contrast. Thus, 'countermand' literally translates to 'order against.' The concept has been used primarily in legal and military contexts, emphasizing the authority to override prior commands. It reflects the hierarchical structures often found in organizations where orders can shift based on new information or directives from higher authorities. Over time, the usage of 'countermand' has expanded beyond these contexts to include situations where decisions or instructions are retracted or negated in various organizational and administrative settings.