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
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Cordial countenance is quiet leadership, the atmosphere shift that makes truth telling possible.
—Adam Dietz, Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026
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
Sarah Pidgeon The modern-day Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Sarah Pidgeon donned a soft glam countenance the late Calvin Klein publicist would approve of.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Cordial countenance is quiet leadership, the atmosphere shift that makes truth telling possible.
—Adam Dietz, Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026
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
-
Experiments like Strachey’s were part of an explosion of postwar research on the relationship between mathematics and language, expressions of a broader fascination with the automation of knowledge, which crossed disciplines and suffused the culture.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
That presentiment lies behind the many present expressions of apocalypse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
More than 100 little, laughing faces were yelling thank you.—
Brian Lamar,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
The waxy, pore-filling iterations always look heavy on my dry skin, while the mattifying formulas make my face feel tight and flat.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
Weaving between Bon Iver features and electronic experimentation, the Minnesota musician and actor’s new album sounds a note of community and composure in a tumultuous world.—
Nia Coats,
Pitchfork,
18 May 2026
-
Manor, meanwhile, kept his composure.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Barnard attended the ceremony with Soprano, Lola’s female stand-in and a convincing lookalike, who accepted the collar with considerable enthusiasm and even more considerable wriggling.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
-
By now, most economists accept that raising the minimum wage doesn’t mechanically lead to job loss.—
Nick Hanauer,
The Atlantic,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
All visitors who paid for entry were told that only kind words would be tolerated, and any hurtful words or curses would result in immediate expulsion from the tent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Price said Putin will also be seeking China's diplomatic backing with regard to the Ukraine war, a conflict Beijing has tolerated if not openly endorsed.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Thus, Mueller gave Kuziela a closer look, even before the growth spurt.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Atkinson threw a mini tantrum then sat in his chair, the look of defeat on a coach knowing what comes next.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
The childlike visage of Enzo, with his gap-toothed smile flanked by a pair of prominent ears, acts as the film’s lighthouse.—
Carlos Aguilar,
IndieWire,
15 May 2026
-
Strained visage behind my 37th year.—
Jenny Xie,
The Atlantic,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Senior goalkeeper Ian Sorensen and his Brother Rice teammates had to endure more than a little adversity this season but still managed to have a lot of success.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Its rock-and-roll spirit endured.—
Lindsey Tramuta,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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