discountenancing

verb

present participle of discountenance
1
as in disliking
to hold an unfavorable opinion of a social philosopher who discountenanced all programs for helping the needy, claiming that society should encourage survival of the fittest

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in embarrassing
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress the political party was discountenanced by the actions of a few of its overly zealous members

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discountenancing
  1. disliking
  2. embarrassing
  3. criticizing
  4. confusing
  5. flustering
  6. rattling
  7. disconcerting
  8. bothering
Verb
  • The result is not a simple story of locals disliking tourists.
    — David Nikel, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • China and Russia are often described as caring deeply about sovereignty and disliking regime change for that reason.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of disliking
Verb
  • The operation has brought a fuel crisis that is embarrassing the Kremlin.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Anthrax, Sublime, and Red Hot Chili Peppers were easy and often embarrassing examples, but the funky waka-waka guitar sound extended to Rage Against the Machine, Green Jellÿ, and Suicidal Tendencies (and their side project, Infectious Grooves).
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of embarrassing
Verb
  • Restrictions have extended outside the classroom, with some teachers being fired or punished for criticizing conservative activist Charlie Kirk after his assassination.
    — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In 2022, Cunningham shared a message criticizing the participation of Lia Thomas in women’s college swimming and said athletes should have the opportunity to compete fairly.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticizing
Verb
  • But there is the risk that his strategy will backfire by confusing investors.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Jobs are down, but consumer sentiment—and the stock market—are up, leaving the retail sector to reckon with a host of seeming contradictions and confusing market signals.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of confusing
Verb
  • The Pistons’ defense is swarming and flustering the Cavs.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 8 May 2026
  • But Seymour threw on a press, flustering the Patriots, who began to turn the ball over.
    — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of flustering
Verb
  • Pay attention to unusual rattling, buzzing, grinding or squealing sounds.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Gallo Images | Gallo Images | Getty Images The Strait of Hormuz is rattling global trade, but the waterway is just one example of a vital maritime corridor becoming a frontline, in a new age of drones and missiles targeting economic lifelines.
    — Chloe Taylor,Sam Meredith,Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Definition of rattling
Verb
  • One less gory but still disconcerting video shown in court was the bodycam footage from the night in February 2024 when members of the LA County Sheriff’s Department paid a visit to Burke’s Hollywood Hills home.
    — Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 22 July 2026
  • This imbalance is perhaps not expressly disconcerting much of the time.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Definition of disconcerting
Verb
  • Once your child starts spilling the beans about what’s bothering them, be understanding.
    — Jenna Autuori-Dedic, Parents, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Hip still bothering Springs Springs lasted just four innings after issuing a season-high five walks, throwing 86 pitches — only 51% of them strikes — and gave up his 28th home run of the season, the most of any pitcher in the league.
    — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of bothering
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.

Browse Nearby Words

discountenances
discountenancing
discounter
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Cite this Entry

“Discountenancing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discountenancing. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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