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
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Cordial countenance is quiet leadership, the atmosphere shift that makes truth telling possible.
—Adam Dietz, Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026
Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Few believe Kim would countenance relinquishing his nuclear deterrence, given the fates of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, both toppled after abandoning their weapons programs.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for countenance
Noun
Sarah Pidgeon The modern-day Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Sarah Pidgeon donned a soft glam countenance the late Calvin Klein publicist would approve of.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026
Cordial countenance is quiet leadership, the atmosphere shift that makes truth telling possible.
—Adam Dietz, Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
What Perez, above, won’t countenance, seemingly, is ownership of the entire club passing into private hands, like City or PSG.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Few believe Kim would countenance relinquishing his nuclear deterrence, given the fates of Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, both toppled after abandoning their weapons programs.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for countenance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for countenance
Noun
-
Experiments like Strachey’s were part of an explosion of postwar research on the relationship between mathematics and language, expressions of a broader fascination with the automation of knowledge, which crossed disciplines and suffused the culture.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
That presentiment lies behind the many present expressions of apocalypse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
White also announced that Paddy Pimblett will return to face Benoit Saint-Denis, and hyped heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson will make his UFC debut against Elisha Ellison.—
Mark Puleo,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
The neurologist checked the right side of his face; the better neurologist checked the left.—
Weike Wang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Weaving between Bon Iver features and electronic experimentation, the Minnesota musician and actor’s new album sounds a note of community and composure in a tumultuous world.—
Nia Coats,
Pitchfork,
18 May 2026
-
Manor, meanwhile, kept his composure.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
On May 14, Dana Williamson, a former top aide to Newsom and onetime Becerra political adviser, pleaded guilty in federal court after accepting a plea deal to multiple charges, including committing bank and wire fraud, filing a false tax return, and lying to the FBI.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
-
That case marked the first civil jury trial stemming from the disaster, with jurors similarly tasked only with calculating damages because Boeing has accepted liability.—
Rio Yamat,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
All visitors who paid for entry were told that only kind words would be tolerated, and any hurtful words or curses would result in immediate expulsion from the tent.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Price said Putin will also be seeking China's diplomatic backing with regard to the Ukraine war, a conflict Beijing has tolerated if not openly endorsed.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
This time around, Swift paired her yellow look with Aquazzura twist leather sandals in beige, which retail for $835.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
-
Topline Mild northern lights activity this week is slated to continue Saturday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which forecast areas within eight states could get a look at the natural phenomenon.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
The childlike visage of Enzo, with his gap-toothed smile flanked by a pair of prominent ears, acts as the film’s lighthouse.—
Carlos Aguilar,
IndieWire,
15 May 2026
-
Strained visage behind my 37th year.—
Jenny Xie,
The Atlantic,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Williams, who endured an up-and-down 2025 with the Yankees, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his sixth save in seven opportunities.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
-
The tradition endures even as most people quietly agree that art probably shouldn’t be co-opted by the agendas of nation-states.—
Sebastian Smee,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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