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
-
This includes my place not only as a writer—who like my grandfather had, is writing books, teaching college, and engaged in psychoanalytic thought—but also as a someone who has similarly dedicated her life to the pursuit of learning, understanding, and expression through language.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
Master Medal Laelia Añejo is a boutique expression produced at Casa Natima in Amatitán.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Neto’s replacement, Nick Madrigal, left in the top of the ninth inning after Andrew Wantz’s pitch ricocheted from Madrigal’s hand to his face.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
When they were discovered on Wednesday, the five men on the rock had ripped clothes and dirty faces, seemingly stunned that they had been found alive.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
With the quarterfinal in a frantic deciding set, Kostyuk gathered her composure first to win in one hour and 49 minutes, becoming the first Ukrainian woman to reach the last four at Roland Garros in the Open Era.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
-
The Wildcats scored three runs in the fifth as Regis Jesuit lost its composure on several plays, allowing Arvada West to gain momentum.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
The Justice Department hasn’t formed the five-member commission that will decide on payout criteria, so there has been no money paid out yet or claims accepted.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Missouri lawmakers slashed funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library free book program from $6 million to $2 million, meaning the state will no longer accept new children into the literacy program starting July 1.—
Ian Cummings,
Kansas City Star,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
These older strains of wheat and grains have been gaining more and more attention as they’re sometimes better tolerated than mass market wheats by many folks adversely affected by gluten.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
-
Heritage strains tend to be grown with fewer pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, and some people who react poorly to modern wheat tolerate them better.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
Other notable infielders on non-contending teams who might be worth a look include Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards, Angels shortstop Zach Neto and Giants utility man Casey Schmitt.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
-
Participants, who paid a $75 registration fee, received a white dress, a platinum-blond wig, cat-eye sunglasses, and a martini glass to complete the iconic look.—
Staff Photographer,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
And Barnes has the sophistication, the expertise, to appreciate the visage of brilliance before him.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
19 May 2026
-
The Ti7’s look may recall the Defender’s angular visage but that doesn’t mean it should be mistaken for a mere dupe.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Most of the facility is kept at a constant 34 degrees , which is balmy compared to the minus 15 that those working in the freezer section must endure.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
In those terms, the Kennedys have endured more than their share.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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