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
Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Leto gives him a Zen countenance and a wry observational mode to contrast his formidable fight skills.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
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
As the time passes between them seeing me, their countenances are even more concerned.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Leto gives him a Zen countenance and a wry observational mode to contrast his formidable fight skills.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025
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
-
Tory’s expression flickers, then settles.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Instead, for the biggest impact, leave out the negatives and offer sincere expressions of pride for the accomplishment at hand.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Nearly everything Noma does is news; the restaurant’s influence—and that of its head chef, co-owner, and public face, René Redzepi—sends ripples through the culinary world like a rogue moon.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
And eventually ate enough clock late, in the face of a furious Northfield press, to put the Nighthawks away.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The back line compresses space, the midfield disrupts passing lanes and Ferree has commanded his box with composure beyond his years.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The Cavs regained their offensive composure after the break, opening the second half with a 14-6 run that cut Boston’s lead to 12.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Pentagon had accepted his compromise, Altman implied, because his safeguards were not smuggled into the contract as an arbitrary restriction of Pentagon freedom.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
These materials can accept electrons from one source and pass them along to another, allowing electrical signals to travel from the bacteria to the electrode.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For too long, Wyoming has been an outlier in tolerating extreme cruelty toward its wild carnivores.—
Wendy Keefover,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Creatine works best through daily saturation, and protein may be better tolerated in a shake that contains carbs, fiber, and fat.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Saturday presented the first look at what a Matthews-less Leafs team will look like.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Saura had a large sense of the humor, which struck those who got to know him, belying the sternness of his public visage with his playful banter and frequent chuckle.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In the 140 years since his capture, the Apache leader has been transformed into a kitschy, all-American icon, his weary visage appearing on cheap Etsy merch bearing slogans such as Never Quit.—
Carolina A. Miranda,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Some—too many—dismissed Redzepi’s thirty-odd accusers entirely, seemingly out of a belief that enduring violence is just what kitchen life entails, and that those who want to make it as chefs need to suck it up.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Before this season, the Jags endured some roster turnover, with stars like 2025 state title game MVP Ian Sedah graduating and guard Theo Brannan transferring.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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