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
Judy Berman, Time, 20 June 2025
Mele, on the other hand, painted Sánchez’s countenance for her Blue Origin trip to space, which saw her travel in a rocket with Katy Perry, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen and Kerianne Flynn for a total of 11 minutes this April.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 June 2025
Sameer Lalwani, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2023
Russia has refused to countenance the idea of European troops on Ukrainian soil, while the U.S. insists that no American troops would be deployed to the country as peacekeepers.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for countenance
Noun
Advertisement What Fellowes can’t countenance are privileged people who lack the magnanimity befitting their rank and, most of all, servants who are insufficiently grateful to their benevolent employers.
—Judy Berman, Time, 20 June 2025
Mele, on the other hand, painted Sánchez’s countenance for her Blue Origin trip to space, which saw her travel in a rocket with Katy Perry, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen and Kerianne Flynn for a total of 11 minutes this April.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 June 2025
Verb
With India’s borders enjoying a modicum of stability after border crises in 2019 and 2020, Indian strategists can countenance lower operational readiness over the next few years, even if that means living with some vulnerability.
—Sameer Lalwani, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2023
Russia has refused to countenance the idea of European troops on Ukrainian soil, while the U.S. insists that no American troops would be deployed to the country as peacekeepers.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for countenance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countenance
Noun
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His wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen), wears an expression of perpetual disappointment.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Open Doors, the Locarno Film Festival’s Locarno Pro-organized co-production platform and talent development program for filmmakers from regions where artistic expression is at risk, has wrapped up its 23rd edition with a focus on the African continent.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Worldwide leader viewers grew up with a stable of famous faces and coverage of mainstream sporting events that became instant classics, complete with catchphrases recognizable to diehards of all stripes.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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Always attune, to a finger, a face, a chin, a leg, a tear, a gesture, a shape, an ear, a branch, a child under the table, the stalk of blooming cactus… or an unplanned sneeze that turns on the Christmas lights as you the say the word… SCHLEP!—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Four years on, the Loom & Leaf hasn’t lost its composure.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
14 Aug. 2025
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The Dolphins defense kept its composure and didn’t start tackling Bears offensive players once the Bears were delivering blows.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Democracy supporters opposed to the junta have warned the international community against falling for the military’s election plan, and say such a poll will never be accepted by the people.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
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Another issue is that the short-term solutions — often called levers — previously deployed to raise money to spend on transfers have not always been accepted by La Liga, who want the club to be run in a more sustainable way.—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Those that tolerate high temperatures and drought to grow well in the South include Spanish lavender (Lavandula stoechas) and ‘Provence’ French lavender (Lavandula x intermedia).—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
12 Aug. 2025
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Peace lilies can tolerate lower light levels than many other houseplants.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Plus, the organic woven look of the bamboo will bring a charming, rustic feel to your kitchen.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Piper also made a surprise appearance in Doctor Who in 2025, when in the 15th season finale, the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) leaves the role and regenerates into Piper’s visage.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
10 Aug. 2025
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In fact, her entire visage boasted that same overt dewiness thanks to her careful skin prep.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
29 July 2025
Verb
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And, like Disney adults, their passion has endured.—
Katherine Laidlaw,
HubSpot,
8 Aug. 2025
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Software stocks have endured some broad selling pressure recently, but Fortinet was an extreme example as the cybersecurity leader dropped by over 20% Thursday.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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