countenancing

verb

present participle of countenance
1
as in accepting
to have a favorable opinion of I don't countenance such behavior in children of any age

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tolerating
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 countenancing On that ground the United States can not properly be put in the position of countenancing a wrong after its commission any more than in that of consenting to it in advance. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026 The castrato was proud to call himself the boy’s father, never publicly countenancing the reality that this was impossible. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countenancing
  1. accepting
  2. tolerating
  3. handling
  4. standing
  5. enduring
  6. taking
  7. sustaining
Verb
  • Along with accepting the honey donation, Saturday was also busy at the food bank because volunteers from Jewel-Osco were on hand to help with the holiday meal box program.
    — David Sharos, Chicago Tribune, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The company said the system subsequently improved the proof twice, with Lean accepting the final version as well.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of accepting
Verb
  • Universities have too often punished controversial opinions while tolerating intimidation, obstruction, and exclusion.
    — Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • No more broken promises, rampant corruption, or tolerating an elite class living in luxury while the citizens are ignored.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of tolerating
Verb
  • Officials continue to urge people who have contact with sick or dead birds to take precautions, including wearing respiratory and eye protection and gloves when handling poultry.
    — Mike Stobbe, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Here, eBay coned off a series of handling challenges as a competition for the media on site to experience all four cars headed to auction.
    — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of handling
Verb
  • But Ueno's collapse revives long-standing concerns about weak institutions.
    — EMILIO SANABRIA, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Despite his long-standing presence in California politics, the modest Becerra initially struggled to energize support for his gubernatorial campaign.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of standing
Verb
  • Carrie blends elements of that genre, while really leaning into the horror that made Carrie an enduring property – applying those tropes to modern teenage life.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2026
  • An amateur historian has stumbled upon a provocative clue to the enduring mystery of what became of a notorious pirate who raided a royal Indian treasure ship centuries ago, implicating a co-conspirator whose name is familiar to many New Yorkers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of enduring
Verb
  • Everyone was up for hiking and taking cable cars to waterfalls; paragliding was sadly vetoed.
    — Claudia Laroye, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
  • After taking a 13-10 lead to start the third quarter, the Tigers got an extra possession after forcing a fumble on the ensuing kickoff.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of taking
Verb
  • Universities need institutions capable of sustaining serious debate after a visiting speaker leaves campus.
    — Ilya Shapiro, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • With their best player out for the game, the Miami offense had a hard time getting big plays or sustaining drives, particularly in the first half.
    — Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of sustaining

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countenances
countenancing
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Cite this Entry

“Countenancing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenancing. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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