countenance 1 of 2

noun

ˈkau̇n-tᵊn-ən(t)s How to pronounce countenance (audio)
Definition of countenancenext
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

countenance

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to accept
to have a favorable opinion of I don't countenance such behavior in children of any age

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of countenance
Noun
This condition cannot be met by utilitarianism, because that ethical theory would countenance forms of government in which the greater happiness of a majority is achieved by neglecting the rights and interests of a minority. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2026 Her exterior countenance reveals the inner storm in completely believable and gripping ways. — Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
This condition cannot be met by utilitarianism, because that ethical theory would countenance forms of government in which the greater happiness of a majority is achieved by neglecting the rights and interests of a minority. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Mar. 2026 At the time, France, led by President Jacques Chirac, could not countenance supporting an attack on Saddam Hussein, given the weak evidence for either weapons of mass destruction or a link to the horrors of 9/11. — Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for countenance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countenance
  1. expression
  2. face
  3. composure
  4. accept
  5. tolerate
  6. look
  7. visage
  8. endure
Noun
  • Concerns for free expression Tyler Coward, the lead counsel for government affairs at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a free-speech advocacy group, said Legislature was treating certain ideas as inherently suspect.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
  • And that’s to say nothing of the very real threats to free expression coming from Republicans at every level of government right now.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of expression
Noun
  • One had to undergo emergency surgery to combat a life-threatening infection; the other required a surgeon to reconstruct the left side of her face, which had become paralyzed.
    — Ella Moore July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • Familiar faces like Derrick Brown, Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan and Jaycee Horn will take the field this week for the start of training camp, but there will be some notable new faces added to the mix.
    — Mike Kaye July 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026
Definition of face
Noun
  • Along with a seemingly innate composure, that confidence stems from Bouaddi’s ability to dribble his way out of pressure.
    — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • While most teams lose their composure in chaotic situations, Argentina revels in them.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026
Definition of composure
Verb
  • The club with the player on its discovery list then has five days (or three days during the secondary transfer window) to either accept the $50,000 and pass on the right to sign the player or make the player a reasonable offer.
    — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
  • What other sport accepts diving as an accepted part of the game?
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of accept
Verb
  • The Steamfitters were staging protests outside the Pfizer site, accusing the MetroLoft — which employs a mix of union and nonunion contractors — of building on the cheap and tolerating unsafe work conditions.
    — Andrew Rice, Curbed, 23 July 2026
  • The remaining mainstream buyers, who are far more price-sensitive and less willing to tolerate the inconveniences of electric vehicles, aren’t gobbling up the technology.
    — Michael Harley, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of tolerate
Noun
  • Office experts say buildings that lack a story, especially in Atlanta’s current market, likely won’t convince anyone to give them a second look.
    — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 21 July 2026
  • For such a conspicuous color, the look was surprisingly restrained.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 20 July 2026
Definition of look
Noun
  • As the Cyclops, Irwin, transformed into a giant, is given an extraordinary, almost Cubist visage.
    — Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 16 July 2026
  • Her nude lip, lined ever so delicately with a skin-complementing brown, matched the visage.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Definition of visage
Verb
  • But for many Georgians who volunteered, worked, performed or attended the Games, the memories that have endured are far more personal.
    — Andrea Clement, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • Iran’s hardline regime achieves a victory of sorts simply by enduring and surviving.
    — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of endure

Browse Nearby Words

counted (up to)
countenance
countenanced
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Cite this Entry

“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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