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
More people could look at their own countenances more accurately, and more often. — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 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
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 inaugural inductees are said to represent more than a century of Australian storytelling, creativity and cultural expression and are selected by an expert panel.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The BellaBot Pro, a cat-like delivery robot, with an interactive screen that displays playful facial expressions, was also among the highlights.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of expression
Noun
  • There are two new faces leading South Florida’s historically Black districts, but neither is much of a surprise to voters in the deeply Democratic districts.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The agent appeared to point their gun at the neighbor’s face before shoving him into a row of hedges.
    — Greta Bjornson, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of face
Noun
  • There was no need to imagine what the conversation was about because the entire team and fan base saw Gordon lose his composure, say something slick to Spillane, who had just tackled him along New England’s sidelines.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The composure the defense showed in that moment was monumental, as senior quarterback Jaden Craig was able to orchestrate a game-winning drive.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of composure
Verb
  • Thompson has criticized the self-funding, while Jones has fired back by pointing at the incumbent’s history of accepting corporate donations.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In Westchester County, election officials said ballot scanners were not accepting paper ballots, an issue that resulted from a program update made after polling equipment was initially prepared and tested.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 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
  • Visitors can see the sole visage, a curio card of Strother, found by Denham on eBay, sitting alongside his obituary in the town newspaper, encased in glass.
    — Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
  • 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
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 6 Nov. 2026.

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