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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 core collection of the Glenlivet consists of a few age-statement expressions (12, 14, and 15-year-old), as well as some NAS whiskies.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The Paris flagship is one of the first expressions of that more cohesive brand identity.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of expression
Noun
  • The witness said Melton hit the victim in the face with a closed fist, the report says.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • On a map, Newfoundland is a vast, asymmetrical island, cloven by bays and inlets, semi-detached to appendages of land deformed by ancient glaciers scraping over it, leaving glacial striations, grooves and gouges on its granite face.
    — Paul Theroux, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of face
Noun
  • There’s often a moment leading up to a loss when the doubt creeps in, the confidence gets rattled and the composure gets compromised.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The 32-year-old Honduran admitted to fighting to try to keep his composure.
    — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of composure
Verb
  • Any deal would almost certainly need to accept the Houthis’ participation in Yemeni politics and provide the group economic benefits, possibly including a share of Yemen’s oil revenues.
    — RICHARD HAASS, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The response period, if any, and the legal consequences of accepting or declining an offer can depend on the specific language used and the applicable law.
    — Ethan Stone, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of accept
Verb
  • These irreparable harms should not be tolerated for a day longer.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Our criminal system deliberately places the burden on the government and tolerates the possibility that guilty people will go free rather than lower the standard required to convict.
    — Monu Bedi, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of tolerate
Noun
  • Finish the look by styling the pants with an airy white blouse and cherry red flats.
    — Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Naturally—or, rather, unnaturally—the look includes total pubic hair removal.
    — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 21 Sep. 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
  • Said, wearing blue jeans and a sweater, remained expressionless for most of the hourlong hearing in The Hague as presiding Judge Miatta Maria Samba described the inhumane conditions detainees endured at the prison in the capital, Bangui.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In revisiting Parks’ time with Life magazine during the 1950s through the 1970s, the exhibition captures the unequivocal truth of the enduring struggle for equality and the perseverance of Black American life.
    — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 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 26 Sep. 2026.

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