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
1
as in to accept
to have a favorable opinion of
I don't countenance such behavior in children of any age
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of countenance
Adam Dietz, Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026
To defeat the threat of a surging left, businessmen and nationalists colluded to countenance domestic culture wars, xenophobic nationalism, the erosion of constitutional norms, and outright violence, ultimately naming Hitler, a vulgar racist, as national executive.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Few believe Kim would countenance relinquishing his nuclear deterrence, given the fates of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, both toppled after abandoning their weapons programs.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for countenance
Noun
Cordial countenance is quiet leadership, the atmosphere shift that makes truth telling possible.
—Adam Dietz, Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026
To defeat the threat of a surging left, businessmen and nationalists colluded to countenance domestic culture wars, xenophobic nationalism, the erosion of constitutional norms, and outright violence, ultimately naming Hitler, a vulgar racist, as national executive.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Verb
What Perez, above, won’t countenance, seemingly, is ownership of the entire club passing into private hands, like City or PSG.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Few believe Kim would countenance relinquishing his nuclear deterrence, given the fates of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, both toppled after abandoning their weapons programs.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for countenance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countenance
Noun
-
The Moon in Sagittarius activates your 3rd House of Communication, encouraging direct expression and clearer exchanges.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
4 May 2026
-
The Moon’s move into Sagittarius lights up your 5th House of Creativity, pulling you toward expression, connection, and enjoyment that feels natural.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The foreign sounds made his face crimp, as if somebody right next to him had farted.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
-
However, the fashion world has been particularly enamored with these breakout stars, with major designers and brands clamoring to get one of the boys seated front-row at their shows, if not serving face in their next ad campaign.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The Quattro system distributes power seamlessly and even on tighter downhill switchbacks, the vehicle maintained composure.—
Chris Jackson,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Mendoza wins with command, accuracy, red-zone efficiency and grown-man composure.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of simply accepting defeat, the United States upscales its ambitions to establish a permanent presence on the lunar surface.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 May 2026
-
Prosecutors also alleged that, in return for that pressure campaign, Diamantis accepted $95,000 in bribes from Helen Zervas, an optometrist, and her fiancé, former state Democratic lawmaker Christopher Ziogas.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
It would be dedicated to the heroic patience with which Americans have tolerated billionaires like him for so very long.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
If investors and consumers begin to think the Fed is willing to tolerate higher inflation, expectations of future inflation—which can be just as influential as the real thing—can drift upward, making price growth harder to contain.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Unlike in their losses in Games 5 and 6, the Celtics weren’t as quick to fire up 3s, instead opting to attack the interior of the 76ers defense more to get easier looks.—
Kyle Hightower,
Chicago Tribune,
3 May 2026
-
Chesney and many players got their first look at the Rose Bowl lit up at night during a visit Friday.—
Sean Campbell,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
In his last minutes, Segal was listening to Charlie Parker, whose visage still dominates the Showcase stage’s backdrop.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Wonder who's responsible for that glowing, makeup-free visage?—
Kaitlyn Frey,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her campaign drew on the enduring appeal of Fujimorismo—a political current associated with her father’s rule that combines strong executive leadership, political conservatism, and a hard-line approach to security.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 May 2026
-
From the transformative power of novels to raising a Black son in a turbulent era, Ward offers a deeply moving testament to resilience, storytelling, and the enduring beauty of life.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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