countenance 1 of 2

noun

ˈkau̇n-tᵊn-ən(t)s How to pronounce countenance (audio)
Definition of countenancenext
1
as in expression
facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling a pleasant countenance that puts visitors at ease

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in face
the front part of the head a fairly pretty countenance

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in composure
evenness of emotions or temper the EMT's purposeful countenance was in stark contrast to everyone else's hysteria

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

countenance

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to accept
to have a favorable opinion of I don't countenance such behavior in children of any age

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to tolerate
to put up with (something painful or difficult) countenanced the delays and inconveniences of traveling by air with good grace

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of countenance
Noun
Two high-profile shows at the same time—and yet, her countenance displays no sign of exhaustion. — Dennis Braatz, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026 This condition cannot be met by utilitarianism, because that ethical theory would countenance forms of government in which the greater happiness of a majority is achieved by neglecting the rights and interests of a minority. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
In addition, there is something about the crime that Lasdun, who is himself married with children, cannot countenance. — Literary Hub, 25 June 2026 So, like Croatia, who turned to 40-year-old Luka Modric in their opening game against England, and Portugal, who could not countenance being without Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, in their opener, Bosnia reached for their own vintage performer. — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for countenance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countenance
  1. expression
  2. face
  3. composure
  4. accept
  5. tolerate
  6. look
  7. visage
  8. endure
Noun
  • The institute is designed to bring public officials, scholars and other leaders to campus while expanding the college’s work around civic engagement, public policy, free expression and leadership.
    — Nora O’Neill October 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Companies, too, found ways to sell all natural products, flexibility and individual expression.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of expression
Noun
  • Perched high in the cliffs, built into the rock face overlooking the sea, and within view of the sweet fishing village of Conca dei Marini, the property is just a quick drive to Amalfi, but still feels a million miles away from the tourists.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • As the hundreds of thousands of people made their way down the narrow roads following the politician, a few rerouted into the industry event, still carrying big flags and with faces lit up with hope.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of face
Noun
  • Lily responds with monk-like composure in response to Jackie’s rude queries.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Oct. 2026
  • That composure helped carry Garcia quickly through open-wheel racing.
    — Tyler Carmona, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of composure
Verb
  • AccuPoint does not charge an application fee or accept compensation from firms or any other parties for inclusion on the Financial Advisor 100 list.
    — Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Korean star Han Ji-min accepted The Hollywood Reporter’s Trailblazer Award at a glitzy gala high above Busan on Wednesday night, promising that her creative journey was only just beginning.
    — Mathew Scott, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of accept
Verb
  • Nathan is offended and starts going on his usual rant about not tolerating disrespect toward his family.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Coaches are supposed to tell their players every season that hazing is wrong and won’t be tolerated.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of tolerate
Noun
  • Floor-to-ceiling windows grace both the city and river-view rooms, all replete with white oak fixtures and a stylish mid-century modern look.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Hotties and Megan’s friends, including WNBA star Angel Reese, loved her latest look, which even had a pink Chanel bag with a matching phone case.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of look
Noun
  • Don’t be fooled by the film’s advertising, which features an image of Neeson’s scowling visage dwarfing Levi aiming an automatic weapon.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Information is punched into the ‘Fruit Machine’, a piece of software so named because of the various colours on its visage, the programme into which the raw information from every ball is manually inputted.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of visage
Verb
  • The companies and economies that endure will be the ones that can balance growth, resilience and sustainability—and change before outside pressure forces them to.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The play is a gently unfolding, calmly delivered tale of the decades of horrors endured by a real-life person named Eddie Jaku.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of endure

Browse Nearby Words

counted (up to)
countenance
countenanced
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Cite this Entry

“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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