1
as in expressions
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 faces
the front part of the head
a fairly pretty countenance
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in accepts
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 tolerates
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 countenances
Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
As the time passes between them seeing me, their countenances are even more concerned.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
The policy still countenances harmful mining, but with the intent of benefiting locals, not faraway CEOs or shareholders.
—Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countenances
Noun
-
In the days and weeks that followed, expressions of support poured in, both locally and from communities across the country and around the world.—
David Kay,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 June 2026
-
One that leans toward the latter category is President’s Choice, a whiskey collector’s favorite that includes single barrel expressions of bourbon and rye whiskey.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
When Charlie and Veeta White talk about their son Christopher, their faces light up with the kind of pride only a parent can know.—
Andy Smith,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
12 Dec. 2025
-
The director wants to revisit the events surrounding the tests through the eyes of the Algerians on the ground, whose stories and faces never appeared in the French reports and news reels of the time.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
After losing their cattle, Rip accepts a lifeline from Beulah Jackson (Annette Bening), who so far has been a major adversary, and joins her 10 Petal Ranch as a foreman.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
11 June 2026
-
Percy accepts this and leaves Barry’s Bay the next day, returning home to Seattle.—
Allison DeGrushe,
StyleCaster,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
This plant is extremely resistant to deer browsing and tolerates heavy shade.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Congo accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group operating in its eastern provinces, a charge Rwanda denies, while Rwanda says Congo tolerates militias hostile to its government.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
At tight end, Evans, Feleipe Franks and James Mitchell continued to get plenty of looks from the backup QBs.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
From a looks perspective, the XLE blends right in with the rest of the Mammoth lineup.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
This device also stands for that in a certain way.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
On a pedestal at the foot of an impressive cantilevered helical staircase stands the ornate Taca de Portugal.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
But if the team endures a significant slide between now and the August trade deadline, Cashman could decide to pivot on his decision to stand pat in the slugger replacement market.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
-
Its lighthouse also endures as a symbol of the region’s maritime trade.—
Jeff VanderMeer,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
The team looked at hematopoietic stem cells, the blood-forming stem cells that generate every red blood cell, white blood cell and platelet in the body, and zeroed in on the lysosome, the part of the cell that handles cellular recycling.—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
-
With just a single command, the robot automatically handles the entire welding process from start to finish.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countenances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenances. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
