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
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
As in, the color of one’s countenance when feeling ill.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
Scott W. Stern, The Atlantic, 2 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
With scraggly hair and beard and a dazed countenance of man waking up from an unspeakable dream, Reeves brings the tender vulnerability to his Estragon (aka Gogo).
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025
As in, the color of one’s countenance when feeling ill.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 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
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
-
Bad Bunny took us through tableaux of Latinx joy, with different expressions of beautiful hair in each vignette.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Rapper Snoop Dogg wears a blank expression, moments after watching Team USA's Lindsey Vonn crash out of the women’s downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo this morning.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lawmakers in European powerhouse Germany have approved a government plan to attract more military recruits as the country tries to boost the ranks of its armed forces in the face of rising concern about the threat posed by Russia.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Ryan is among the many new faces organizations brought in across the league to help either rebuild lagging franchises or get talented ones over the hump.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One of Lamont’s unacknowledged strengths is his public composure and innate courtesy in an era when escalating vulgarity in politics shows an ugly American face to us and the world.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The ride strikes a fine balance between composure and comfort.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The retail space is needed to provide the shopping experience for residents coming in during the weeks and the warehouse space is for accepting goods from distribution centers and donations from the community.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Singer-songwriter Eric Nam accepted Rob Rausch's invitation from the previous episode to become a traitor.—
Bebe Hodges,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Glycine is generally well-tolerated but can cause digestive side effects such as diarrhea, gas, or stomach pain.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Trump cannot tolerate the reality of others rejecting him.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
High jewelry pieces by Levuma completed the look.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Here's a look at what's happened when the river became a sheet of ice.—
Stephanie Stremplewski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Sarah Crain couldn’t help but marvel at the looming visage of Dallas City Hall.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Her visage is not one of outward excitement but of tenderness for this man who should love her.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Japan has endured inflation above the Bank of Japan's target for 45 consecutive months, declining real wages and persistent yen weakness.—
CNBC.com staff,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
-
In the new study, yet to be peer-reviewed and published in a journal, resilience refers to a plant’s ability to endure excess light without suffering severe damage, such as leaf lesions.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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