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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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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of discountenance

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

OTHER WORDS FROM discountenance

dis·coun·te·nanc·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use discountenance in a sentence

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
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