DISCOUNTENANCE Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

discountenance 1 of 2

noun

Definition of discountenance

as in disapproval

refusal to accept as right or desirable made known his long-standing discountenance of any form of religious belief

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

discountenance

2 of 2

verb

di-ˈskau̇n-tə-nən(t)s

as in to dislike

to hold an unfavorable opinion of a social philosopher who discountenanced all programs for helping the needy, claiming that society should encourage survival of the fittest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to embarrass

to throw into a state of self-conscious distress the political party was discountenanced by the actions of a few of its overly zealous members

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for discountenance

Noun

The committee earlier this month recommended censure, which registers the House’s deep disapproval of a lawmaker’s conduct that doesn’t meet the threshold for expulsion.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026
Sheinbaum, writing on X early Saturday, expressed her disapproval of Rocha Moya’s decision to return as governor of northwestern state.

— Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of disapproval

Verb

For example, a relative’s benign remark about the texture of a turkey dinner at a family gathering might be interpreted by someone with schizophrenia as a statement meant to embarrass them.

— Matthew Kurtz, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026
College students should not have to worry about their parents embarrassing them to an audience of thousands.

— Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of embarrass

Verb

The move came days after Stephens publicly criticized EMCC and Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference leadership over changes to the league’s football schedule and playoff format.

— Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the decision to increase bond purchases earlier last month, after investor Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the move.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of criticize

Verb

The Athletic reported on Monday that all parties have now been in direct communication to confirm the deal is off after City’s bid of an initial £75m and £5m in add-ons was rejected.

— The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Palal also rejected the defense’s contention that Davis fabricated his accounts to make money.

— Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of reject

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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discounted

discountenance

discountenanced

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“Discountenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discountenance. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of discountenance

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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