countenance Definition
coun·te·nance (ko̵unt′'n əns)
noun
- the look on a person's face that shows one's nature or feelings
- the face; facial features; visage
- a look of approval on the face
- approval; support; sanction
- calm control; composure
- Obsolete
- the way a thing looks; appearance
- false appearance
Etymology: ME & OFr contenance, bearing, conduct < L continentia, lit., way one holds oneself, restraint < continere: see contain
transitive verb -·nanced, -·nanc·ing
to give support or sanction to; approve or tolerate
countenance Idioms
in countenance
calm; composed
put out of countenance
or stare out of countenanceto cause to lose composure; embarrass; disconcert
countenance Synonyms
countenance
n.
countenance Synonyms
countenance Usage Examples
Object
- possibility: More recently, however, even against a background of media concern, judges have refused to countenance the possibility of error.
- reform: Neither the Conservatives nor Labor appear to countenance such reform.
- idea: Any government which countenances the idea that Britain should be willing to deport people to face torture or death should be ashamed of itself.
- change: Without the willingness to countenance change, these improvements would not be affordable.
Converse of object
- smile: Be friendly with all and have a smiling countenance always.
- give: Not, assuredly, to boast; not, assuredly, to give the slightest countenance to complacency.
- keep: Once again, please be strong in your heart and keep a neutral countenance when you talk to the police.
Adjective modifier
- swarthy: It was the name of the fellow with the swarthy countenance.
- cheerful: About her twentieth year she is described as being somewhat above the middle height, possessing a graceful form and an open cheerful countenance.
- fierce: The sole surviving daguerreotype of Kirker reveals a dark-skinned man with a fierce countenance.
- angry: If you will show him a harsh and angry countenance he will do the same.
- sad: One morning Roy entered the hut with a slow step and a sad countenance.
Modifying Another Word
- never: You have never countenanced the evil doctrine of the brute coercion of the human will.
- even: Once you've put it on, losing weight is a much, much bigger battle than thin people can even countenance.
- not: The College does not countenance any research which harms the health or welfare of any of our animals.
- only: Mugabe countenances not only the murder of white farmers, but also of his own people if they oppose him politically.
Noun used with modifier
- thy: How long, 0 my mistress, till thy countenance be turned toward me.
- cannot: He cannot countenance living in the community at all.
Preposition: of
man: I watched the countenance of the man while the different persons were bidding on his wife.
Browse dictionary entries near countenance
- ‹ countdown
- ‹ count up
- ‹ count palatine
- ‹ count over
- ‹ count out
- ‹ count on
- ‹ count off
- ‹ count noun
- ‹ count
- ‹ counselor

