countenancing

verb

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tolerating
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 countenancing On that ground the United States can not properly be put in the position of countenancing a wrong after its commission any more than in that of consenting to it in advance. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026 The castrato was proud to call himself the boy’s father, never publicly countenancing the reality that this was impossible. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countenancing
  1. accepting
  2. tolerating
  3. handling
  4. standing
  5. enduring
  6. taking
  7. sustaining
Verb
  • Finally, in a twist on the classic Green Lantern oath from the comics, John personalizes the phrase with an emphasis on his newfound accepting of his fear.
    — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • But Searchlight hopes the music committee will consider accepting the one Collective in this case.
    — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of accepting
Verb
  • Egyptian authorities alternated over the decades between tolerating and repressing the group, which was permitted to field candidates in elections for brief periods.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The next era of leadership is not about tolerating relentless pressure.
    — J.K. Dickinson, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of tolerating
Verb
  • LinkerBot says its brushless motors and worm-gear transmission support fine movements for applications such as precision assembly and handling fragile objects.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The technology, which is capable of handling complex on-demand production at scale, promises EU brands a more sustainable and secure supply of clothes for a total cost that is comparable with outsourcing production to Asia.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of handling
Verb
  • Our work with one of our long-standing partners, InVideo, is bearing fruit.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • There's also no reception area—hotel staff greet you and escort you to one of three standing desks in the lobby for check-in.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of standing
Verb
  • Walk through the front doors of the Georgia Street entrance and prepare to be dazzled by an enduring piece of Vancouver history.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Ultimately, American Girl still has to walk a fine line between being a profitable brand and remaining—and enduring as—a safe brand for children who are still learning to navigate the world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of enduring
Verb
  • Pittsburgh Penguins player Andrei Kuzmenko returned to the team on Friday after taking some time in the wake of his father's tragic death in a bear attack last month in Siberia.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Officers were seen placing several people in handcuffs and taking them away after the shooting.
    — Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of taking
Verb
  • God is present now, and there could never be a future moment when His sustaining presence is absent.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The next step is sustaining that work through the heavier demands of a season.
    — C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of sustaining

Browse Nearby Words

countenances
countenancing
counter
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Cite this Entry

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

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