discountenance

C2+ Topic:Actions & Processes

US /dɪsˈkaʊntənəns/ UK /dɪsˈkaʊntənəns/ See IPA manual

Freq #991085

Meanings

1

verb
formal or dated: to disapprove of something and discourage, withhold support from, or refuse to tolerate it

The committee discountenanced any proposal that would reward deliberate misconduct.
2

verb
archaic: to unsettle, embarrass, or make someone lose composure

The hostile laughter briefly discountenanced the young speaker.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · formal or dated: to... disapprove of discourage deprecate oppose

2 verb · archaic: to unsettle,... disconcert abash embarrass unnerve

Opposites

approve encourage countenance reassure

Word family

Forms discountenanceddiscountenancing

Derived forms discountenancer

Related forms countenance disapproval discouragement disconcert

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French descontenancer (modern French decontenancer), literally to put someone out of countenance. From the sense "make lose composure," English developed the broader meaning "show disapproval of or discourage."

Topics

Actions & Processes Register & Style

External links

# discountenance

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /dɪsˈkaʊntənəns/
**IPA (UK):** /dɪsˈkaʊntənəns/
**Frequency rank:** 991085

## Meanings
1. formal or dated: to disapprove of something and discourage, withhold support from, or refuse to tolerate it
2. archaic: to unsettle, embarrass, or make someone lose composure

## Examples
- The committee discountenanced any proposal that would reward deliberate misconduct.
- The hostile laughter briefly discountenanced the young speaker.

## Synonyms
- disapprove of
- discourage
- deprecate
- oppose
- disconcert
- abash

## Antonyms
- approve
- encourage
- countenance
- reassure

## Derived Forms
- discountenancer

## Related Forms
- countenance
- disapproval
- discouragement
- disconcert

## Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French descontenancer (modern French decontenancer), literally to put someone out of countenance. From the sense "make lose composure," English developed the broader meaning "show disapproval of or discourage."

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Register & Style

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