COUNTENANCES Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

countenances 1 of 2

noun

plural of countenance

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

as in faces

the front part of the head a fairly pretty countenance

Synonyms & Similar Words

countenances

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of countenance

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

as in tolerates

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 countenances

Noun

More people could look at their own countenances more accurately, and more often. — Cal Revely-Calder, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 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

The premise is begging for those capable of delivering big expressions to capture what the F1 drama would have been like in the 1960s.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 6 July 2026
The three machines arrayed before me are designed to capture every inch of a performer’s body—their facial expressions, their physical movements, the grain of their voice—and use this data to create an AI likeness.

— Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026

Definition of expressions

Noun

How does any network get the audience excited to watch the same faces accept their third, fourth, or fifth award for the same show and same category?

— Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 6 July 2026
The unfamiliar faces include day-trippers driving in from South Carolina, Tennessee and other parts of North Carolina to spend several hours floating down the French Broad River for around $30 per person, Anderson said.

— Mae Anderson, Fortune, 5 July 2026

Definition of faces

Verb

The Dinner Key Mooring Facility, for example, accepts boats up to 50 feet long, leaving boaters with larger vessels — including 55-year-old Capt.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
The skin isn’t just a passive barrier that accepts humectants, peptides, and other ingredients and keeps out external aggressors like pollutants and bacteria.

— Deanna Pai, Vogue, 6 July 2026

Definition of accepts

Verb

Our constitution is color-blind, and neither knows nor tolerates classes among citizens.

— Tom Campbell, Oc Register, 4 July 2026
This fuss-free group of plants tolerates challenging growing conditions, including heat, drought, and humidity and the gorgeous foliage is unbothered by deer and rabbits.

— Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 July 2026

Definition of tolerates

Noun

And some have responded by seizing the female obsession with looks, already rooted in misogyny, and rebranding it with maximum toxicity—in other words, by becoming looksmaxxers.

— Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026
Smith’s few looks per game will likely be orchestrated, with orbit motions, screens and quick receptions on angle routes.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026

Definition of looks

Verb

Cameron, whose season record now stands at 5-7, got 18 swings-and-misses and struck out batters using four different pitches on Saturday, according to Statcast.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
When Haaland — who stands nearly 6-foot-5 — gets the ball in his preferred spots, opponents realize that stopping him is almost out of the question.

— Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026

Definition of stands

Verb

The memory endures of seeing Lionel Messi trudging through a post-match mixed zone looking haunted after Argentina were knocked out of the 2010 World Cup and of Cristiano Ronaldo fighting back the tears after various disappointments with Portugal.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Mexico’s World Cup run may be over, but for many Mexican Americans, its emotional impact endures.

— Alfredo Corchado, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of endures

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countenances

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Style

“Countenances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenances. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of countenances

noun

verb

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