1. A military maneuver in which troops reverse direction and march back along the same route or in the opposite direction.
Usage: military; plural form or third-person singular present
2. A reversal of a previous decision, policy, or course of action.
Usage: figurative

1. To reverse direction and march back; to execute a countermarch.
Usage: military
2. To reverse or change a previous decision, policy, or course of action.
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The regiment executed a series of countermarches across the parade ground.
• After the scandal, the government countermarches its environmental policy.
• The troops countermarched when they received new orders from headquarters.
• The company countermarches its decision to close the local office following public outcry.
• Military drills often include countermarches to test soldiers' discipline and coordination.
• The general ordered a countermarch when intelligence revealed an ambush ahead.