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

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2
as in face
the front part of the head a fairly pretty countenance

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3
as in composure
evenness of emotions or temper the EMT's purposeful countenance was in stark contrast to everyone else's hysteria

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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

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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
Two high-profile shows at the same time—and yet, her countenance displays no sign of exhaustion. — Dennis Braatz, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 May 2026 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
Verb
In addition, there is something about the crime that Lasdun, who is himself married with children, cannot countenance. — Literary Hub, 25 June 2026 So, like Croatia, who turned to 40-year-old Luka Modric in their opening game against England, and Portugal, who could not countenance being without Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, in their opener, Bosnia reached for their own vintage performer. — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 18 June 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
  • Photographed and directed by Gabriel Moses, the campaign brings each icon into sharp focus, placing them at the center of a crowd as a powerful expression of individuality.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Some movements feel unnatural, facial expressions are exaggerated, and small details occasionally fall into the uncanny valley or break rules of logical consistency.
    — Britta Miller, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of expression
Noun
  • This one was carved from a block of limestone and features a slender face with a long nose and a tiny, smiling mouth.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • As always, Howerton is the cast MVP, with his elastic, expressive face selling all of probable-serial killer Dennis’s most hyperbolic reactions.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of face
Noun
  • In eleven years of service, Masha had never heard her mistress speak with such lack of composure.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Lily responds with monk-like composure in response to Jackie’s rude queries.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of composure
Verb
  • Rather than accept his acclaim, a boozy Lee gets on stage and immediately tears into the crowd for being sellouts.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
  • All donations are tax-deductible and can be made through its online zakat-giving portal, which accepts recurring and one-time payments as high as $10,000 or amounts of one’s choosing.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of accept
Verb
  • Related Stories Lee says the film grew out of the small and large injustices people tolerate every day to avoid a fight.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Scientists have long marveled at how the human body tolerates extreme heat — and what that means for our health.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of tolerate
Noun
  • Faulk showed photos of some businesses that have replaced the highway fences with their own fences and how those have improved the look along the highway.
    — Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Other wild beauty looks were seen at Comme des Garçons, Junya Watanabe, Kiko Kostadinov, Vaquera and Weinsanto.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of look
Noun
  • Don’t be fooled by the film’s advertising, which features an image of Neeson’s scowling visage dwarfing Levi aiming an automatic weapon.
    — Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Information is punched into the ‘Fruit Machine’, a piece of software so named because of the various colours on its visage, the programme into which the raw information from every ball is manually inputted.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of visage
Verb
  • The film explores the contradictions of a Bulgarian town pulled into Europe’s shifting geopolitical order, where arms production for Ukraine’s frontlines collides with enduring ties to Russia, personal convictions, and the everyday need to survive.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The enduring lesson of Reykjavík is not simply about nuclear weapons or diplomacy.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 2026.

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