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
-
Call it artistic expression, or maybe just a Knicks fan too busy jumping for joy to cut the outtakes.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
-
The regulation of our environment; the presence of chemicals both intentionally and unwittingly in our food, water, air, and land; the ecological fate of all living creatures, and of the earth itself—all these dilemmas and conundrums find urgent expression in Carson’s work.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Beyond live match broadcasts on four massive screens, the festival features an 8,000-capacity amphitheater, concerts, cultural programming tied to matches of the day, food booths, family-friendly games, mini soccer pitches, face-painting and interactive activations.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
14 June 2026
-
In the face of accomplishing history, the Knicks started off ice cold.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Jeff Segars built Loganville into a dynasty — maintaining his composure through all the emotional turbulence of high school baseball.—
Jack Leo,
AJC.com,
8 June 2026
-
The forward kept his composure as the Spurs won the series.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Multiple figures within the sport have alleged, under oath, that members of FIFA accepted bribes in exchange for giving the World Cup to Qatar, a nation that has also been accused of facilitating human rights abuses of the migrant workers who built the country’s stadiums.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
-
The suspects -- described as boys about 14 and 11 years old -- then went up to the kids and asked if Apple Pay was accepted, police said.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Mamdani's office responded to Rapaport's criticism by stressing that assaults on police officers and other postgame violence will not be tolerated.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
-
All of this demands constant adaptation inside a market that has stopped tolerating growth at any cost.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
This foundation stick blends buildable coverage with hours of hydration, thanks to hyaluronic acid that plumps skin from within and visibly softens the look of fine lines both immediately and over time.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
13 June 2026
-
Meanwhile, the Silver Moss pair takes on a stormy look that’s well-suited for late summer nights, while the Quicksand variation does its best wheat work boot impression for a look that will transition seamlessly into fall.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Supposedly the poem was inspired by a peyote-vision where the edifice of San Francisco’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel was transformed into a hideous, twisted, demonic visage, which inspired the beating heart of Howl’s second section.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Both the actor and the automaker’s models presented a powerful and dashing visage that defined the glamor of the age, and Hollywood’s glitterati were enamored with each.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Michelle Amores, a division manager for the San Jose Public Library who helped organize the celebration, spoke to the community’s enduring spirit.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
13 June 2026
-
There’s no denying the enduring glamour of this grande dame, whose secluded locale at the tip of the Cap is as much a draw for the jet set as the intimate cabanas where Greta Garbo once retreated and the saltwater infinity pool carved into the cliffs.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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