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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

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

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
  • Macho Cowboy At the top of the pinnacle of power within the telenovela structure is the macho cowboy whose high emotional expressions of jealousy, anger, and confrontation are accepted as passionate acts of strength or romantic gestures.
    — Damaly Gonzalez, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • For Summer Nacewicz, Alo’s executive vice president of marketing and creative, the store will become a full expression of the brand’s belief in how Alo wants to redefine luxury.
    — Denni Hu, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of expression
Noun
  • Avila said the attack left her with severe injuries to her arm and face, extensive scarring, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Think again about kids wagging their fingers in each other’s faces on a playground.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 29 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
  • Businesses will need to accept digital euros, in-store and online, by 2029.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • An unanswered offer is treated as accepted after 15 business days, with payment issued by company check.
    — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of accept
Verb
  • Goktas said political humor had been tolerated in the past and the laws regarding insult had not changed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Fazio is cast as a superhero in one ad, strong enough to save Connecticut from expensive electricity and high taxes tolerated by Lamont.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of tolerate
Noun
  • Not far away, French niche fragrance brand Memo chose to debut a new-look retail concept created around the idea of time in its 720-square-foot boutique on Rue Cambon.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • To pull off this pant-less look, a high-quality leather piece is necessary to prevent it from reading cheap.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 29 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 1 Oct. 2026.

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