1
as in expression
facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling a pleasant countenance that puts visitors at ease
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Relevance
2
as in face
the front part of the head a fairly pretty countenance
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3
as in composure
evenness of emotions or temper the EMT's purposeful countenance was in stark contrast to everyone else's hysteria
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of countenance
Adam Dietz, Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026 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
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
Cordial countenance is quiet leadership, the atmosphere shift that makes truth telling possible. —Adam Dietz, Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026 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
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
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Photograph by Glen Wilson / Lionsgate Fuqua’s low-key approach is both a natural expression of his personality and a shrewd stratagem to reassure people around him that everything is under control.— Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
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An artist observes carefully, especially things that go unnoticed — and transforms these observations into meaningful expressions.— Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Made with a lightweight cotton fabric, this bucket hat will keep your face cool on balmy days.— Claire West, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
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Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar left in the second period after he was hit in the face by a puck.— CBS News, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Supino thinks the portal going live will require composure as well as diligence.— Mae Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
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Wolves coach Chris Finch criticized his team’s lack of composure.— Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The two later accepted 19 and 13 years, respectively, through a plea deal.— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
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Your 9th House of Higher Learning receives this New Moon, inviting you to accept growing pains as natural parts of life.— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But this type of behavior can't be tolerated.— Jim DeFede, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
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The refrigerator door is best reserved for stable, less-perishable items that can tolerate a little temperature variation.— Bridget Shirvell, Martha Stewart, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Italian nonne stirred pots full of sauce with a look of utter boredom and, here and there, Neapolitan ragazzi sat atop their motorini and gawped at the torture.— Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
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The length is perfect with a pair of ballet flats or lug-sole loafers, and the structured shape matches with everything from a casual white tee to a silky camisole and cropped cardigan for a day-to-night look.— Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Vaccines even had a beloved national mascot in Zé Gotinha (Joe Droplet), a cartoon vaccine droplet with a Pillsbury Doughboy-like visage.— Jessica A.J. Rich, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
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His signature mustache and overalls helped make his visage pop on a limited pixel grid, but his color scheme changed depending on the game or promotional art.— Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The film also highlights, through such enduring artifacts as cassette recordings and photographic prints, the archival basis of memory itself.— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
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After enduring years of thieves stealing headstones, the owner of a Compton cemetery decided to sell the property after a person stabbed her three dogs on Friday.— Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/countenance. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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