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
Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
As the time passes between them seeing me, their countenances are even more concerned.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 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
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
As the time passes between them seeing me, their countenances are even more concerned.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 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 trip raised hopes among some members on the WhatsApp chain that expressions of empathy toward Palestinians will become more common at Beth El, both from the bimah and in synagogue-wide communications.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The United States not only encourages artistic expression, it’s enshrined in the Constitution, under the First Amendment’s freedom of speech and assembly.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One of his favorite treats is Oreo cookies, which always bring a smile to his face.—
MARE Staff,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The Kings came into the game stressing a good start, having been outscored 5-1 in the first period of their previous three outings, and instead face planted to spot the Maple Leafs a 2-0 lead through 20 minutes.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
John is, as ever, at ease in front of the cameras, while Carolyn struggles to maintain composure.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
-
When Kotb asked how Guthrie reacted to seeing images of the abductor taken from Ring camera footage, Guthrie worked hard to keep her composure.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The original complaint claims the airport violated federal grant assurances connected to more than $1 million the county accepted since 2022, when the effective ban on ultralights began.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Because this energy is centered in Scorpio and Cancer, we’re blessed with the depth of soul needed to accept the true needs of others and ourselves.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fungi thrive in harsh environments, tolerate extremes that would destroy most organisms, and can continually grow and repair themselves over time.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
However, some cats—especially those with thick, insulating fur like Maine Coons or Norwegian Forest cats—can tolerate and even enjoy playing in snow.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There was a blithe, mildly stoned look in everyone’s eyes, and most of the women were dressed like gnomes while all the men appeared ergonomically outfitted to climb a cliff face but were instead commuting to their office jobs.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Surrounded by 28 acres of grapevines and rolling farmland, this beautiful resort draws its look from the working countryside with standalone-style only accommodations, luxury amenities, and a polished farm-house design.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Mueller’s stern visage and taciturn demeanor matched the seriousness of the mission, as his team spent nearly two years quietly conducting one of the most consequential, yet divisive, investigations in Justice Department history.—
Eric Tucker,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The camera still doesn’t show Heidi from the front and instead shows more framed snapshots of the family before Heidi sits with her mom on a couch and her visage finally appears on-screen.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For a while, that was the enduring image that illustrated his problems in the outfield.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
-
For the Supreme Court to do so would require it to repudiate the Constitution’s text, the Court’s own precedents, and the enduring understanding of all three branches and of the American people.—
David Cole,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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