barely countenance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barely countenance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a situation where someone can hardly tolerate or accept something. Example: "She could barely countenance the idea of leaving her hometown for a new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Society would barely countenance a male author writing like this: he would run the risk of being labelled a crazed pervert.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That the experience of being married might be even more rewarding than the experience of getting married is a notion barely countenanced within the world of the wedding industry.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The two men, both crafty lawmakers and once seemingly friends, seem now barely able to countenance each other's presence.

The New York Times

But never has she been more so than here, as a 50-year-old linguistics professor suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's, an awful disease whose unique horrors we are still barely able to countenance in the elderly, let alone in someone so young.

The Economist

"And we just can't countenance that".

The New York Times

She just has the right countenance and the right personality.

Los Angeles Times

Mr Clinton went out of his way to praise him for his "very bold decisions".Yet there is barely any Arab leader who could have countenanced these new arrangements, let alone Mr Arafat.

The Economist

Clearly, the Tories will countenance nothing of the kind and Labour has barely shown its hand.

The Guardian - Opinion

By the time their paranoia reaches peak levels, this family of six can barely stomach the sight of one another, so wracked with the panic that haunts their countenance.

Huffington Post

I couldn't countenance that.

The Guardian

Ryan has a sterner countenance.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formal pieces, remember to use "barely countenance" to portray a marginal level of acceptance. It indicates something is tolerated but not necessarily approved of.

Common error

Avoid using "barely countenance" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday contexts; opt for simpler alternatives like "hardly tolerate" or "barely accept".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely countenance" functions as a verb phrase, expressing a minimal level of tolerance or acceptance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Examples show its usage in contexts where something is just barely tolerated or accepted.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely countenance" is a verb phrase used to express a minimal level of tolerance or acceptance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While relatively rare in overall usage, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, indicating a formal register. Its primary purpose is to convey that something is allowed or endured with reluctance. Alternatives include "hardly tolerate" and "scarcely permit". Use this phrase to add nuance and precision to your writing when describing situations where something is only just tolerated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly tolerate

Emphasizes a lack of tolerance, very similar to "barely countenance".

scarcely permit

Focuses on permission being given reluctantly or almost not at all.

barely accept

Highlights the acceptance aspect, but only to a minimal degree.

grudgingly allow

Implies resistance before allowing something, adding an element of unwillingness.

reluctantly condone

Suggests that approval is given despite reservations or disapproval.

narrowly approve

Indicates an approval that is only just achieved or barely sufficient.

just about stomach

Informal way to say something is barely tolerable or acceptable.

with difficulty accept

Stresses the effort involved in accepting something.

find it hard to accept

Highlights the difficulty in the act of accepting.

struggle to accept

Emphasizes the effort and difficulty in accepting something.

FAQs

How can I use "barely countenance" in a sentence?

You can use "barely countenance" to describe situations where something is tolerated but not fully accepted, such as, "Society would "barely countenance" a male author writing like this".

What does "barely countenance" mean?

"Barely countenance" means to scarcely tolerate or accept something. It suggests a low level of acceptance or a grudging allowance.

What are some alternatives to "barely countenance"?

Alternatives to "barely countenance" include "hardly tolerate", "scarcely permit", or "barely accept". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "barely countenance" in casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "barely countenance" is relatively formal. Using alternatives like "just about stomach" or "hardly tolerate" may be more suitable for informal settings.