countenance

1 of 2

noun

coun·​te·​nance ˈkau̇n-tᵊn-ən(t)s How to pronounce countenance (audio)
ˈkau̇nt-nən(t)s
1
a
: look, expression
… a countenance which expressed both good humor and intelligence …Sir Walter Scott
b
: mental composure
… startled, and also somewhat out of countenance.Arnold Bennett
c
: calm expression
He managed to keep his countenance through the ordeal.
2
: face, visage
especially : the face as an indication of mood, emotion, or character
The photograph showed his somber countenance.
3
: bearing or expression that offers approval or sanction : moral support
… her countenance of their unsafe amusements …Jane Austen
4
archaic
b
5
obsolete : bearing, demeanor

countenance

2 of 2

verb

countenanced; countenancing

transitive verb

: to extend approval or toleration to : sanction
refused to countenance any changes in the policy
countenancer noun

Did you know?

Let’s face it: the countenance familiar to modern speakers does not bear an obvious resemblance to its Latin root continēre, meaning “to hold together” (a root it shares with contain). But the path between continēre and countenance becomes clearer when we think of the figurative “holding together” present in the idea of restraint. When countenance was first used in English (having traveled from Latin through Anglo-French) it referred to a person’s appearance or behavior—their demeanor—which is a product of restraint, or the lack thereof. And from “demeanor” it was just a hop, skip, and a jump to “facial expression.” A few centuries after that development, in the late 16th century, countenance faced a new task head-on—use as a verb meaning “to extend approval or toleration to.”

Examples of countenance in a Sentence

Noun … his white countenance was rendered eerie by the redness of the sagging lids below his eyes … John Updike, The Afterlife, 1994
You could see it in his frame and deportment … a beaming countenance, expansive salutations, a warm handshake … Simon Schama, Granta, Autumn 1990
All, all are kind to me but their tones fall strangely on my ear & their countenances meet mine not like home faces … Emily Dickinson 17 Feb. 1848, in Selected Letters(1914) 1986
Before receiving him, Henry had so possessed himself that no one could guess from his countenance with what sentiments he remembered the young king. Amy Kelly, Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four Kings, 1950
The photograph showed his somber countenance. a pleasant countenance that puts visitors at ease Verb But there are only two logical choices …  . If you can't countenance the first, you have to accept the second. Anna Quindlen, Newsweek, 6 Aug. 2007
… the constellation of family emotions—love, obedience, rivalry, repression—can turn a family into a moral system of its own in which even the greatest horrors can be countenanced in the name of loyalty and love … Scott Turow, Times Literary Supplement, 15 Mar. 1991
They disapproved of the marriage, and could not be expected to countenance it. Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urbervilles, 1891
I don't countenance such behavior in children of any age. countenanced the delays and inconveniences of traveling by air with good grace
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
And then, after offering them a second chance in 2010, refused to countenance settling with the remaining 8% of original holders on terms other than the investors took in 2005 and 2010. Gregory Makoff, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2024 Belichick, known for his rumpled appearance, unsmiling countenance and monotone voice, was celebrated as savant, savior and sage. Bill Pennington, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2024 His countenance comes from his family not from the external world. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 May the Lord turn his countenance to you and give you joy and peace. Sarah Maslin Nir, New York Times, 19 Dec. 2023 There were hot dogs whose meaty countenance resembled diseased flesh. Emily Heil, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2023 With his bulldog build and his doleful countenance, Mr. Young amassed more than 160 film and television credits. Alex Williams, New York Times, 18 Oct. 2023 Despite the preceding chaos, Dean’s countenance betrays no signs of alarm. Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 6 Oct. 2023 Reports differ about whether Biden will countenance sending ATACMS to Ukraine. Mathias Hammer, Time, 20 Sep. 2023
Verb
Still, American officials had some reason to hope that Mexico’s leaders might countenance — and keep secret — their investigation. Tim Golden, ProPublica, 31 Jan. 2024 Song doesn’t countenance Oriental politeness or urban American bonhomie. Armond White, National Review, 8 Dec. 2023 To be successful, the country must countenance a war of exceptional scope and difficulty that could last for many months. Assaf Orion, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2023 In each and every case, the Left does not countenance any action that might protect the innocents. Wilfred Reilly, National Review, 18 Oct. 2023 The universities are accused of countenancing antisemitic statements by students and faculty in the aftermath of the attack and fostering antisemitic teachings and sentiments on campus even prior to the attack. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2023 Enter Email Sign Up Mr. Al Fayed claimed that Diana was pregnant and planning to marry Dodi and that the royal family could not countenance the princess marrying a Muslim. Danica Kirka, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2023 Debbie’s departure comes as a slant blessing to the reader, too, who has had to countenance the book’s many rhapsodic statements about the sisters’ dynamic. Zoe Hu, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2023 With vanishingly few exceptions, nearly every politician in Washington refuses to countenance major spending reform. David Harsanyi, National Review, 14 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'countenance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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 — more at contain

Verb

derivative of countenance entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Verb

1568, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of countenance was in the 13th century

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Dictionary Entries Near countenance

Cite this Entry

“Countenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countenance. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

countenance

1 of 2 noun
coun·​te·​nance ˈkau̇nt-ᵊn-ənts How to pronounce countenance (audio)
ˈkau̇nt-nənts
1
a
: calm expression
b
: calmness of mind
2
b
: an expression on the face
especially : a facial expression as a sign of mood, emotion, or character
3
: a show of approval
gave no countenance to the plan

countenance

2 of 2 verb
countenanced; countenancing
: tolerate sense 1, encourage
refused to countenance their behavior

More from Merriam-Webster on countenance

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