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
McVay had spent the previous availability explaining the reason for his somber and dour countenance during an awkward news conference the night before. — Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2026 His spirit and countenance is right. — Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 29 May 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
  • More research showed that living cells use condensates everywhere, to organize DNA, regulate gene expression, and package proteins.
    — Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The house’s 2025 holiday campaign, starring ambassador Anya Taylor-Joy, followed the actress on a journey from New York to London and Tokyo, celebrating different expressions of love.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of expression
Noun
  • At Netanyahu's party headquarters, filled mainly with media, the few supporters present chanted Netanyahu's name, draping themselves in flags with his face on them and kissing posters.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Someone else touched his face and a clean tong without washing hands between those two actions.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of face
Noun
  • With the smoke from the fireworks still hanging in the air, Megill gathered his composure and struck out Jonny DeLuca with a nasty breaking ball to end the game.
    — Kevin Dotson, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In eleven years of service, Masha had never heard her mistress speak with such lack of composure.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of composure
Verb
  • Based on the information Bhengura provided on a form, his application to register to vote was accepted, and he was successfully registered to vote in Texas, according to the indictment.
    — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the Abrahamic religions—the largest of which are Christianity, Judaism and Islam—are largely accepting of the idea that conscious life might exist that isn’t human, but none of these religions are monoliths.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of accept
Verb
  • Voters who are feeling flush may be willing to tolerate a degree of self-dealing from politicians that becomes insupportable when grocery bills are high.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Most of the new towers remain concrete structures, but they’re now typically clad in glass, metal or masonry, and the frame — while expressed — is generally whipped up into a more interesting confection than Mies would have tolerated.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of tolerate
Noun
  • Addressing the uproar the following day, Stewart said her look was meant to raise awareness.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The piece has a rather minimalist look, with smooth, polished surfaces and no particular decorations, except for a few personal engravings.
    — Filippo Iarocci, Vanity Fair, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of look
Noun
  • This book forces us to consider how clothing can communicate identity without the body, or gestures, or the visage, but rather through arrangement and spatial orientation.
    — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • On screen, Guitarrica’s expressive and angular visage conveys the fright and uncertainty that afflict his character, who is desperate for tenderness.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of visage
Verb
  • But up to this point, DIIV have endured—thrived, even—because of their refusal to capitulate to the industry winds that swirled around them.
    — Larry Fitzmaurice, Pitchfork, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The character introduced as youthful comic relief became an enduring piece of the series’ optimistic picture of the future.
    — Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 30 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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