discountenance

[ dis-koun-tn-uhns ]

/ dɪsˈkaʊn tn əns /

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See synonyms for: discountenance / discountenancing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), dis·coun·te·nanced, dis·coun·te·nanc·ing.

to disconcert, embarrass, or abash: With his composure, he survived every attempt to discountenance him.

to show disapproval of: The teachers discountenanced smoking by the students.

noun

disapproval; disapprobation.

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Origin of discountenance

First recorded in 1570–80; dis-¹ + countenance

OTHER WORDS FROM discountenance

dis·coun·te·nanc·er, noun

Words nearby discountenance

discotheque, discotomy, discount, discount broker, discounted cash flow, discountenance, discounter, discount house, discount market, discount rate, discount store

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use discountenance in a sentence

But, by holding Presbytery as alone of Divine origin, she would most effectively discountenance such unjust claims.
The Ordinance of Covenanting|John Cunningham
Those teachers who discountenance local effort have only their own experience to guide them.
The Psychology of Singing|David C. Taylor
This conduct should receive not only the discountenance, but the decided reprehension of the respectable part of the community.
The Olden Time Series, Vol. 3: New-England Sunday|Henry M. Brooks
It cherishes those Passions, and rewards those Vices, which 'tis the business of Reason to discountenance.
A Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage|Jeremy Collier

Everything that we know of Shakespeare seems to discountenance the probability of his having any such intention.
Ephemera Critica|John Churton Collins

British Dictionary definitions for discountenance

discountenance

/ (dɪsˈkaʊntɪnəns) /

verb (tr)

to make ashamed or confused

to disapprove of

noun

disapproval

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

discountenance

Origin of discountenance

OTHER WORDS FROM discountenance

Words nearby discountenance

Words related to discountenance

How to use discountenance in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for discountenance