Countenance — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈkau̇n-tᵊn-ən(t)s/ coun·te·nance

Meaning & Definition of Countenance

Countenance (noun)

  1. look, expression
  2. mental composure
  3. calm expression

Countenance (verb)

  1. to extend approval or toleration to, sanction

Countenance (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling

    "a pleasant countenance that puts visitors at ease"

    similar: cast, expression, face, look, visage
    related: frown, grimace, lower, mouth, pout, scowl, grin, smile, air, appearance, aspect, bearing, demeanor, manner, mien, presence

  2. the front part of the head

    "a fairly pretty countenance"

    similar: face, kisser (slang), mug, pan (slang), puss (slang), visage
    related: appearance, aspect, features, lineaments, looks, mien, presence, expression, physiognomy

  3. evenness of emotions or temper

    "the EMT's purposeful countenance was in stark contrast to everyone else's hysteria"

    similar: aplomb, calmness, collectedness, composedness, composure, cool, coolness, equanimity, equilibrium, imperturbability, placidity, repose, sangfroid, self-composedness, self-possession, serenity, tranquility, tranquilness
    related: assurance, confidence, poise, self-assurance, self-assuredness, self-confidence, self-trust, easygoingness, laid-backness, apathy, detachment, impassivity, indifference, insensibility, numbness, phlegm, unconcern
    opposite: agitation, discomposure, perturbation
    near: alarm, anxiety, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, disquiet, solicitude, uneasiness, worry, excitability, excitableness, nervousness, disturbance

Countenance (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to have a favorable opinion of

    "I don't countenance such behavior in children of any age"

    similar: accept, approve (of), care (for), favor, OK, subscribe (to), go for, hold with, take kindly to
    related: acclaim, applaud, laud, praise, salute, back (up), concur (in), stand by, support, sustain, uphold, bear, endure, tolerate, assent (to), consent (to), commend, recommend, enjoy, like
    opposite: disapprove (of), discountenance, disfavor, frown (on or upon)
    near: blacklist, censure, condemn, criticize, damn, denounce, deprecate, depreciate, disparage, reprehend, reprobate, dislike, mind, detest, hate, loathe, dissent (from), object (to), oppose

  2. to put up with (something painful or difficult)

    "countenanced the delays and inconveniences of traveling by air with good grace"

    similar: abide, absorb, accept, bear, bide (chiefly dialect), brook, endure, go, hack, handle, meet, pocket, stand, stick out, stomach, support, sustain, sweat out, take, tolerate, wear (British), live with, lump (it), stand for, tough it out
    related: allow, permit, suffer, swallow, reconcile (to), acquiesce, agree (with or to), assent (to), capitulate, consent (to), respect, submit (to), yield (to)
    near: decline, dismiss, refuse, reject, repudiate, spurn, turn down, combat, contest, fight, oppose, resist, avoid, bypass, circumvent, dodge, elude, escape, evade, miss, abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Countenance

The most common words with a similar meaning to Countenance:

Slang: kisser, pan, puss
Chiefly dialect: bide
British: wear
cast, expression, face, look, visage, mug, aplomb, calmness, collectedness, composedness, composure, cool, coolness, equanimity, equilibrium, imperturbability, placidity, repose, sangfroid, self-composedness, self-possession, serenity, tranquility, tranquilness, accept, approve (of), care (for), favor, OK, subscribe (to), abide, absorb, bear, brook, endure, go, hack, handle, meet, pocket

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Countenance

Words with the opposite meaning of Countenance:

agitation, discomposure, perturbation, disapprove (of), discountenance, disfavor, frown (on or upon)

Related Words for Countenance

frown, grimace, lower, mouth, pout, scowl, grin, smile, air, appearance, aspect, bearing, demeanor, manner, mien, presence, features, lineaments, looks, physiognomy, assurance, confidence, poise, self-assurance, self-assuredness, self-confidence, self-trust, easygoingness, laid-backness, apathy

Near Antonyms of Countenance

alarm, anxiety, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, disquiet, solicitude, uneasiness, worry, excitability, excitableness, nervousness, disturbance, blacklist, censure, condemn, criticize, damn, denounce, deprecate, depreciate, disparage, reprehend, reprobate, dislike, mind, detest, hate

Word Forms of Countenance

Inflections: countenanced, countenancing

Derived words: countenancer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Countenance

Middle English contenance, from Anglo-French cuntenance, contenance, from Medieval Latin continentia, from Latin, restraint, from continent-, continens, present participle of continēre to hold together contain

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Countenance

Frequently Asked Questions about Countenance

What does "Countenance" mean?

"Countenance" means look, expression. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: look, expression. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Countenance"?

Other words for "Countenance" include cast, expression, face, look, visage, kisser, mug and pan. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Countenance" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Countenance"?

There are 123 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Countenance". Common alternatives include cast, expression, face, look, visage, kisser, mug, pan, puss and aplomb.

What is a slang word for "Countenance"?

Slang words for "Countenance" include kisser, pan and puss.

What is the opposite of "Countenance"?

Antonyms of "Countenance" include agitation, discomposure, perturbation, disapprove (of), discountenance, disfavor and frown (on or upon). Near antonyms include alarm, anxiety, anxiousness and apprehension.

How do you use "Countenance" in a sentence?

Examples of "Countenance" in a sentence: "a pleasant countenance that puts visitors at ease"; "a fairly pretty countenance"; "the EMT's purposeful countenance was in stark contrast to everyone else's hysteria".

Is "Countenance" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Countenance" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Countenance" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Countenance" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.