Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

countenance

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of countenance

1 facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling

  • a pleasant countenance that puts visitors at ease
Synonyms of countenance

cast, expression, face, look, visage
Words Related to countenance

frown, grimace, lower (also lour), mouth, pout, scowl

grin, smile

air, appearance, aspect, bearing, demeanor, manner, mien, presence

2 the front part of the head

  • a fairly pretty countenance
Synonyms of countenance

face, kisser [slang], mug, pan [slang], puss [slang], visage
Words Related to countenance

appearance, aspect, features, lineaments, looks, mien, presence

expression, physiognomy

3 evenness of emotions or temper

  • the EMT's purposeful countenance was in stark contrast to everyone else's hysteria
Synonyms of countenance

aplomb, calmness, collectedness, composedness, composure, cool, coolness, equanimity, equilibrium, imperturbability, placidity, repose, sangfroid, self-composedness, self-possession, serenity, tranquillity (or tranquility), tranquilness
Words Related to countenance

assurance, confidence, poise, self-assurance, self-assuredness, self-confidence, self-trust

easygoingness, laid-backness

apathy, detachment, impassivity, indifference, insensibility, numbness, phlegm, unconcern
Near Antonyms of countenance

alarm (also alarum), anxiety, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, disquiet, solicitude, uneasiness, worry

excitability, excitableness, nervousness

disturbance
Antonyms of countenance

agitation, discomposure, perturbation

countenance

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of countenance

1 to have a favorable opinion of

  • I donʼt countenance such behavior in children of any age
Synonyms of countenance

accept, approve (of), care (for), favor, OK (or okay), subscribe (to)
Words Related to countenance

acclaim, applaud, laud, praise, salute

back (up), concur (in), stand by, support, sustain, uphold

bear, endure, tolerate

assent (to), consent (to)

commend, recommend

enjoy, like
Phrases Synonymous with countenance

go for, hold with, take kindly to
Near Antonyms of countenance

blacklist, censure, condemn, criticize, damn, denounce, deprecate, depreciate, disparage, reprehend, reprobate

dislike, mind

detest, hate, loathe

dissent (from), object (to), oppose
Antonyms of countenance

disapprove (of), discountenance, disfavor, frown (on or upon)

2 to put up with (something painful or difficult)

  • countenanced the delays and inconveniences of traveling by air with good grace
Synonyms of countenance

abide, absorb, accept, bear, bide [chiefly dialect], brook, endure, go, hack, handle, meet, pocket, stand, stick out, stomach, support, sustain, sweat out, take, tolerate, wear [British]
Words Related to countenance

allow, permit, suffer, swallow

reconcile (to)

acquiesce, agree (with or to), assent (to), capitulate, consent (to), respect, submit (to), yield (to)
Phrases Synonymous with countenance

live with, lump (it), stand for, tough out (it)
Near Antonyms of countenance

decline, dismiss, refuse, reject, repudiate, spurn, turn down

combat, contest, fight, oppose, resist

avoid, bypass, circumvent, dodge, elude, escape, evade, miss

abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from)

Learn More about countenance

  1. Dictionary: Definition of countenance Spanish Central: Translation of countenance Nglish: Translation of countenance for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of countenance for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up countenance? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games