countermand
Reverse a directive
To countermand is to revoke or cancel an order or command, typically by issuing a contrary one: The general countermanded the retreat and ordered troops to hold their position.
The word appears most often in military, legal, or formal business contexts.
As a noun, a countermand is the order that cancels a previous one.
Officially cancel authorization
- rescindFormally cancel or withdraw
- annulDeclare legally void
- retractWithdraw something said
- withdrawRemove or pull away
repeal · abolish · invalidate · quash · void · abrogate · nullify · vacate
Cancel by authority
- overruleReject by higher authority
- supersedeReplace something outdated
- vetoOfficial refusal to approve
- trumpSuit outranking all others
contravene · disallow · contradict · defy · challenge · rebuff · reject · refuse
Formal command or instruction
- instructionGuidance for action
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- edictAuthoritative public command
- dictateGive orders imperiously
fiat · writ · injunction · proclamation · behest · charge · dictum · ruling
revoke
Officially cancel authorization
withdraw · repeal · abolish · invalidate · quash · void · abrogate · nullify · vacate · undo
override
Cancel by authority
- overruleReject by higher authority
- supersedeReplace something outdated
- vetoOfficial refusal to approve
trump · contravene · disallow · contradict · defy · challenge · rebuff · reject · refuse · deny
directive
Formal command or instruction
- instructionGuidance for action
- decreeAuthoritative legal command
- edictAuthoritative public command
dictate · fiat · writ · injunction · proclamation · behest · charge · dictum · ruling · pronouncement
- reversalsreverse, undo, revert, overturn, flip
- undoundo, undo button, backtrack, revert, reverse
- cancelcancel, annul, nullify, invalidate, revoke
- rejectionrejection, reject, denial, refuse, refusal
- legal termstrial, legal, appeal, lawsuit, law
- cancellation wordscancellation, revoking, voiding, annulment, repeal