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
Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
As the time passes between them seeing me, their countenances are even more concerned.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
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
To defeat the threat of a surging left, businessmen and nationalists colluded to countenance domestic culture wars, xenophobic nationalism, the erosion of constitutional norms, and outright violence, ultimately naming Hitler, a vulgar racist, as national executive.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
As the time passes between them seeing me, their countenances are even more concerned.
—Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
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
-
The trip raised hopes among some members on the WhatsApp chain that expressions of empathy toward Palestinians will become more common at Beth El, both from the bimah and in synagogue-wide communications.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The United States not only encourages artistic expression, it’s enshrined in the Constitution, under the First Amendment’s freedom of speech and assembly.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Your emergence tracks with the emergence of a whole new group of young Black entertainers—a moment that changed the face of the entertainment world, even to today.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
When Doncic reached out to shove Williams' arm, Williams responded with a backhand swipe across Doncic's face.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
John is, as ever, at ease in front of the cameras, while Carolyn struggles to maintain composure.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
27 Mar. 2026
-
When Kotb asked how Guthrie reacted to seeing images of the abductor taken from Ring camera footage, Guthrie worked hard to keep her composure.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Detectives said two girls accepted the ride and told the suspect their destination.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
IDs from other states are not accepted.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Fungi thrive in harsh environments, tolerate extremes that would destroy most organisms, and can continually grow and repair themselves over time.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
However, some cats—especially those with thick, insulating fur like Maine Coons or Norwegian Forest cats—can tolerate and even enjoy playing in snow.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Here's your daily look at traffic on major highways in the Kansas City area.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Here’s a look at winning numbers for each game on March 28.—
USA Today staff,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Mueller’s stern visage and taciturn demeanor matched the seriousness of the mission, as his team spent nearly two years quietly conducting one of the most consequential, yet divisive, investigations in Justice Department history.—
Eric Tucker,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
-
The camera still doesn’t show Heidi from the front and instead shows more framed snapshots of the family before Heidi sits with her mom on a couch and her visage finally appears on-screen.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The resulting opportunities led many women to marry later and have fewer children, patterns that would endure in later generations.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Coptic monasticism was one of the oldest forms of organized Christian monasticism, laying the groundwork for traditions that endure to this day.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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