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
Audrey Wollen, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
His face, much like Abby’s (Kaitlyn Dever) dour, unforgiving countenance, is not that of a happy man.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 May 2025
Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
But Israel has refused to countenance any Hamas control in Gaza, while Hamas has shown little appetite for disbanding its battalions of armed fighters or sending its Gaza leaders into exile.
—Rawan Sheikh Ahmad, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for countenance
Noun
The stories sit like figures in a painting by Alice Neel, if all the camaraderie in Neel’s work were drained out: staring straight ahead, some steely, some yearning, countenances slightly askew, drawn with thick streaks of candor, elbows jutting sideways.
—Audrey Wollen, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
His face, much like Abby’s (Kaitlyn Dever) dour, unforgiving countenance, is not that of a happy man.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 May 2025
Verb
And with Tottenham 16 points clear of the bottom three, there is no more talk of a relegation battle, even if Postecoglou never countenanced that himself.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
But Israel has refused to countenance any Hamas control in Gaza, while Hamas has shown little appetite for disbanding its battalions of armed fighters or sending its Gaza leaders into exile.
—Rawan Sheikh Ahmad, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for countenance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countenance
Noun
-
The Leo moon enhances an outspoken and sunny disposition until someone challenges your expression.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
-
Going further, some of Barrett's critics claim the breaks with Trump have become personal, pointing to the justice's facial expression during an encounter with the president in the House chamber following his joint address to Congress in March.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
25 June 2025
Noun
-
Post-Showtime era Johnson remained in the fold as the face of the franchise, even if for only a bit longer.—
James Jackson,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
-
Courtesy and respect have become strategic advantages in the face of mounting press hostility.—
Lilian Raji,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
-
Beating Indiana to even the series in Game 4 on the road, then holding their composure to win Game 7 at home, would be harder than opening a bottle of Champagne.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
23 June 2025
-
Their average rotation age was among the youngest ever for a champion, and yet their composure never wavered under the bright lights.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
23 June 2025
Verb
-
The nine-member council now has until June 26 to accept or possibly override Gloria’s package of vetoes, with an override requiring a supermajority of six council members The council approved the budget last week in a 7-2 vote, making six votes for a veto override seem possible.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 June 2025
-
The site accepts submissions of other pre-AI content sources through its Tumblr page.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
The monthly injection was poorly tolerated, but the ongoing phase 3 study is designed to improve side effects.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
24 June 2025
-
This instills a culture of collaborative leadership, where differing styles aren’t just tolerated, they’re valued.—
Thierry Brunel,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Noun
-
To me, Kelli flip-flopping on Brit this late in the game has a whiff of convenience, as if Kelli knew aligning herself with Brit amidst the Kenya controversy wasn’t a good look.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
23 June 2025
-
While the carpenter and bumble bees were the most obvious visitors to the lupines, a closer look revealed a host of activity from small, blue butterflies, ants and ladybugs.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
For her makeup, Vonn tapped Edward Cruz, the visionary behind actor and musical star Darren Criss’ 2025 Tony Awards visage.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
17 June 2025
-
The 808s feel like drowning in a volcano, my skin peeling off as the visage of Satan reveals itself.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
Latinas of all backgrounds have endured being typecast as a slutty Maria or subservient Lupe.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
-
PepsiCo’s portfolio evolved, profits endured and global impact deepened.—
Dr. Adil Dalal,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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