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
-
Call it artistic expression, or maybe just a Knicks fan too busy jumping for joy to cut the outtakes.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
8 June 2026
-
The regulation of our environment; the presence of chemicals both intentionally and unwittingly in our food, water, air, and land; the ecological fate of all living creatures, and of the earth itself—all these dilemmas and conundrums find urgent expression in Carson’s work.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Few faces are as iconically Philadelphian as Gritty.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Lyrics by Ahrens and dialogue by McNally about the discrimination and brutality that Black Americans and immigrants face can seem straight out of the current moment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 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
-
Light and Dark Backsplash and White Counters Choose a marble backsplash with a drastic color difference between the white and gray threads of color for a maximalist, glam look.—
Lauren Jones,
The Spruce,
6 June 2026
-
But with Robinson’s hand up, Wembanyama missed a good look from inside the 3-point line just before time expired.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Supposedly the poem was inspired by a peyote-vision where the edifice of San Francisco’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel was transformed into a hideous, twisted, demonic visage, which inspired the beating heart of Howl’s second section.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
Both the actor and the automaker’s models presented a powerful and dashing visage that defined the glamor of the age, and Hollywood’s glitterati were enamored with each.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Recognized as the official state handcraft of South Carolina since 2006, this coastal art form has endured for over 300 years and remains a cornerstone of the Gullah.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Clark endured one of the worst shooting nights of her career, making just four of 14 shots from the field while committing three turnovers.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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