1
as in expression
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 face
the front part of the head
a fairly pretty countenance
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in composure
evenness of emotions or temper
the EMT's purposeful countenance was in stark contrast to everyone else's hysteria
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to accept
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 to tolerate
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
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Recent Examples of countenance
Ngaire Woods, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
This was the countenance that Mishima adopted in many photographs taken of him in the sixties.
—Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Each death has to be countenanced as a fact, squared away in the record books.
—Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for countenance
Noun
The powerful make a grave mistake by refusing to countenance dissenting views.
—Ngaire Woods, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2022
This was the countenance that Mishima adopted in many photographs taken of him in the sixties.
—Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
Yet Howe insists Newcastle will not countenance the Slovakia international’s exit until Nick Pope returns from injury.
—Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Each death has to be countenanced as a fact, squared away in the record books.
—Caitlin Flanagan, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for countenance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countenance
Noun
-
But for a man of few words in front of an audience, his music is ripe with satire and vulnerability, and his live performance is riddled with excessive performances of emotion, from his pained facial expressions, hand gestures and smooth dance moves.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Maker’s Mark is one, with the range of its Cask Strength expression landing somewhere between 108 and 114 proof.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Rain also causes the river banks to rise and rock faces to become slippery.—
Issy van der Velde,
Rolling Stone,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The footage shows one officer kicking Mr. Brooks, whose face is bloodied, and then forcing him onto his back on an infirmary examination table while another officer punches Mr. Brooks in the upper body.—
Ed Shanahan,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Whether Amorim can translate that composure to the pitch will factor into results.—
Laurie Whitwell,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
-
The Warriors eventually gained their composure against the Jazz, but lost it in a different manner while surrendering 20 points in the last three minutes of the game, blowing a double-digit lead.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print. Find more Picture Prompts here.—
The Learning Network,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
-
For those leading businesses, that’s a challenge worth accepting.—
Don Yaeger,
Forbes,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Certainly, a lack of effort or dedication won’t be tolerated.—
Kevin Kurz,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Message: mean behavior will not be tolerated in my world.—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
His huge figure — heavy set and a towering 6-foot-3 — only accentuated the impact of his outlandish looks.—
Tom Faber,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2025
-
The royal’s first LFW look—a silky dressing-gown style dress by Bellville Sassoon—showed a bright twenty-something whose eyes lit up at clothing rails, according to her stylist Anna Harvey.—
Alice Newbold,
Vogue,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Also starring Rachel Weisz, the story centers on John Constantine (Reeves), an angsty, chain-smoking exorcist with the ability to travel to hell and back and perceive the true visage of angels and demons.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2025
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Lady Amelia styled her hair in the wet look, and her makeup included a clean, serene visage with bold brows and a soft, berry lip.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The legendary songstress, whose velvety voice redefined soul and R&B, remains an enduring icon of elegance, emotion, and artistry.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Ours is a legacy that endures — one that will continue to endure no matter who’s in the White House.—
Tracey L. Rogers,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
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