countenance

²coun·te·nance

verb
\ˈkau̇n-t^ən-ən(t)s, ˈkau̇nt-nən(t)s\

coun·te·nancedcoun·te·nanc·ing

Definition of COUNTENANCE

transitive verb

: to extend approval or toleration to : sanction <refused to countenance any changes in the policy>

— coun·te·nanc·er noun

Examples of COUNTENANCE

1. <I don't countenance such behavior in children of any age.>
2. <countenanced the delays and inconveniences of traveling by air with good grace>
3. But there are only two logical choices … . If you can't countenance the first, you have to accept the second. —Anna Quindlen, Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2007
4. … the constellation of family emotions—love, obedience, rivalry, repression—can turn a family into a moral system of its own in which even the greatest horrors can be countenanced in the name of loyalty and love … —Scott Turow, Times Literary Supplement, 15 Mar. 1991
5. They disapproved of the marriage, and could not be expected to countenance it. —Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, 1891

Origin of COUNTENANCE

(see ¹countenance)

First Known Use: 1568

Related to COUNTENANCE

Synonyms: accept, care (for), approve (of), favor, OK (or okay), subscribe (to)

Antonyms: disapprove (of), discountenance, disfavor, frown (on or upon)

Related Words: acclaim, applaud, laud, praise, salute; back (up), concur (in), stand by, support, sustain, uphold; bear, endure, tolerate; assent (to), consent (to); commend, recommend; enjoy, like

Near Antonyms: blacklist, censure, condemn, criticize, damn, denounce, deprecate, depreciate, disparage, reprehend, reprobate; dislike, mind; detest, hate, loathe; dissent (from), object (to), oppose

see all synonyms and antonyms

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