countenanced 1 of 2

adjective

as in condoned

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countenanced

2 of 2

verb

past tense of countenance
1
as in accepted
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 tolerated
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 countenanced
Verb
The idea is floated that Alice married Hagood because her churchgoing parents would not have countenanced her going to Paris any other way; then again, photographs of him present a man of striking good looks. — Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countenanced
  1. condoned
  2. accepted
  3. tolerated
  4. sanctioned
  5. endured
  6. supported
  7. handled
  8. promoted
Adjective
  • If cynicism has become not only condoned but essential, how are we supposed to know when to roll our eyes and when to actually become concerned?
    — Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 22 Aug. 2025
Definition of condoned
Verb
  • Known primarily as a virtuoso sculptor, only a few of Bernini’s paintings have survived, and fewer than twenty are broadly accepted as authentic.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 21 Aug. 2026
  • One of the more popular myths accepted as fact is that the WNBA has bricked the breakaway slam dunk that is Caitlin Clark phenomenon.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of accepted
Verb
  • At times during the program’s lean years, the Canes were so bereft of elite talent that when a skilled player groused or lollygagged, it was reluctantly tolerated.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Because it’s used in small amounts and is low in fiber, it’s often well tolerated.
    — Caitlin Beale, HEALTH, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of tolerated
Adjective
  • In addition, a non-sanctioned rolling bedside table had been left in the room, possibly by a previous patient, but staff did not remove it.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In response, the party stripped the contest of its sanctioned status.
    — Zak Hudak, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sanctioned
Verb
  • On a night where he’d been booed for what happened in the past — a night that ended with a 6-4 loss as Logan Webb endured his shortest start of the year — Devers provided Red Sox fans a reason to boo for what was happening in the present.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Cedars-Sinai apologized for any inconvenience Marina del Rey residents endured after the hospital's construction project caused a putrid odor to spread through the coastal neighborhood.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of endured
Adjective
  • When a leader is responsible for too many people, employees can start to feel less seen, less supported and less guided.
    — Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
Definition of supported
Verb
  • The authors note that such items are extremely rare and hence very costly; such transactions would not usually be handled via public social media posts.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Sky forward-center Azura Stevens opened the team’s press availability, saying that security handled a fan incident and that the team was going to focus on the game.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of handled
Adjective
  • Qualifying for European football as a promoted side?
    — The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 26 May 2026
Definition of promoted

Browse Nearby Words

countenance
countenanced
countenances
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Cite this Entry

“Countenanced.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenanced. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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