countermand

Vocabulary Word

Definition

Think of 'countermand' as like slamming on the brakes. It's a command given to stop or reverse an earlier order, often because circumstances have changed.

Examples in Different Contexts

In film production, a director might 'countermand' an earlier scene choice. The director could suggest, 'After reviewing the dailies, I want to countermand the scene we shot yesterday.'

Practice Scenarios

Academics

Scenario:

In light of current events, I'm considering modifying our syllabus. The assignment due next week might need to change.

Response:

That seems a sensible idea. It might make more sense to countermand the assignment giving us more time to deal with the new materials.

Tech

Scenario:

We've found a bug in the software update. We should be cautious before continuing the rollout.

Response:

I agree. We certainly don't want to introduce errors into our systems. It's best to countermand the update for now.