countermarch

[ noun koun-ter-mahrch; verb koun-ter-mahrch, koun-ter-mahrch ]

noun

1. a march back over the same ground.
2. a complete reversal of conduct or measures.

verb (used without object)

1. to execute a countermarch.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to countermarch.

countermarch

/ ˈkaʊntəˌmɑːtʃ /

verb

1. military
   1. to march or cause to march back along the same route
   2. to change the order of soldiers during a march

noun

1. the act or instance of countermarching
2. a reversal of method, conduct, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of countermarch¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; counter- + march ¹

Example Sentences

Hadi’s forces began a countermarch, advancing to the gates of Aden - despite private Saudi warnings for them not to escalate by entering the city or approaching its airport.

From Washington Times

The countermarch began at a high school about a mile from the baseball field in the shadow of Trump’s rally, its participants streaming past part of the border and the towering metal slats lining it.

From Seattle Times

Since the beginning of the crackdown, the Sandinista Youth had launched a campaign in support of the government, with countermarches and rallies; some of its members were also suspected of violence against the opposition.

From The New Yorker

Officials also announced they would stage a countermarch on Friday — a procession from the capital to the town where Mr. Ortega and his Sandinista revolution came to power in 1979.

From Washington Times

Marches and countermarches, some of them related to other Confederate monuments but many not, are now being planned all over the country.

From Time