countenanced

VERB

approve, support

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abet condone stand for

STRONG

accept advocate aid applaud approbate back champion commend confirm cope encourage endorse favor handle help invite okay sanction swallow uphold

WEAK

bear with get behind give green light give stamp of approval give the nod go along with go for grin and bear it hold with live with nod at put John Hancock on put up with sign off on sit still for smile on stomach something thumbs up

Antonyms

STRONG

block censure criticize deny disagree disapprove discourage dissuade hinder hurt injure obstruct oppose protest refuse reject repudiate veto

WEAK

fight

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

countenanced

I’ve countenanced the strong plots because these books are so good.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026

The very premise of Jackson’s Nuremberg prosecutions was that, no matter how “official” the actions, war crimes could not be countenanced, even—or especially—at the highest levels of government.

From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2025

It understood its sector — venture capitalists and technology start-ups — and made loans that national banks would never have countenanced.

From New York Times ● Apr. 1, 2023

Because it is outrageous that such a wealthy city has countenanced inhuman living conditions like this for years.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 25, 2023

To places that didn’t share a border with slave states, had never countenanced the abomination of slavery.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead