countenance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "countenance" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun meaning "the expression on someone's face," or, more generally, "the way someone appears." Example sentence: She wore a pleasant countenance that made me feel welcome.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is likely to test the Algerian government's willingness to countenance greater intelligence sharing, including the deployment of US drones.

The Guardian

Most fundamentally, parties are refusing to countenance the investment needed to make housing accessible for all.

The Guardian

But he will indicate that he may countenance a campaign for a no vote, if he fails to win his demands, when he says the status quo is unacceptable.

The Guardian

Polls suggest his point-blank refusal to countenance a currency union has backfired in Scotland (because Scots don't like being told what to think), although it is possible that his warnings might have more impact when undecided voters finally make up their minds in September.

The Guardian

He has "no tolerance" for people who suggest the party should simply do its best in such unpromising circumstances; nor does he countenance Alex Salmond's suggestion in an interview that the SNP might set aside its convention of abstaining from voting on English-only laws in order to support a minority Labour government.

The Guardian

It refused to countenance moving nests until there was an end to the illegal killing of hen harriers and their population had recovered.

The Guardian

Many of the foodies who bleat on about it could not countenance living without things like lemons, figs and galangal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Downing Street said the deployment was not just a practical bilateral response to a request for support, but a signal to the Russians that Britain will not countenance further large scale annexations of towns in Ukraine.

The Guardian

The chancellor gave little indication whether she would countenance a major revision of the Lisbon treaty – a key Cameron demand to allow him to table his proposals – when she said simply that new eurozone governance arrangements would be introduced through the "necessary legal instruments".

The Guardian

I couldn't countenance that.

The Guardian

Mr Geelani seems to be distancing himself from militants who continue not to countenance ever talking to the national government.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "countenance" when you want to express formal approval or tolerance of an action or idea, especially by someone in a position of authority.

Common error

Avoid using "countenance" in everyday conversations or informal writing. It's generally more appropriate in formal or official contexts. For example, instead of saying "I can't countenance that behavior" in a casual conversation, consider saying "I can't tolerate that behavior."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "countenance" is as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. It signifies the act of approving, supporting, or tolerating something. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in contexts where an authority or entity allows something to occur. Ludwig AI has identified this use as valid.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "countenance" is a versatile word primarily used as a transitive verb to indicate formal approval or tolerance. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct and frequently used in news and media sources. When deciding to use "countenance", remember that it is more appropriate for formal or official contexts, with synonyms like "approve", "tolerate", and "permit" serving as alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Though the noun form exists, its verb usage is much more common in modern language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tolerate

Emphasizes the act of allowing something to exist or happen without opposition.

give approval to

Replaces "countenance" with a more direct expression of approval.

give sanction to

Highlights the formal approval or authorization of something.

permit

A more formal synonym indicating allowance.

show acceptance of

Focuses on the aspect of accepting or tolerating something.

condone

Suggests acceptance of something morally questionable.

put up with

Implies a degree of tolerance, often with a negative connotation.

bear with

Similar to "put up with", but can also suggest patience.

face

Refers specifically to the visual appearance or expression.

complexion

Focuses on the skin's appearance and general health.

FAQs

How to use "countenance" in a sentence?

You can use "countenance" as a verb meaning to approve or tolerate something, as in "The government did not countenance the illegal activity". It can also be used as a noun referring to a person's face or facial expression, though this usage is less common.

What can I say instead of "countenance"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "approve", "tolerate", "permit", or "allow". If referring to a facial expression, consider using "face" or "expression".

Is it more common to use "countenance" as a verb or a noun?

While "countenance" can be used as both a verb and a noun, it is more commonly used as a verb meaning to approve or tolerate. The noun form, referring to a person's facial expression, is less frequent in modern usage.

What is the difference between "countenance" and "condone"?

"Countenance" implies a formal approval or tolerance, often by someone in authority. "Condone" suggests overlooking or forgiving something, often with the implication that it is morally wrong. While both involve acceptance, "condone" has a stronger connotation of excusing inappropriate behavior.