Definition

1. Verb:
   • To show disapproval of or discourage something: To express or indicate opposition to an action, behavior, or idea, often by refusing support or approval.
   • To cause to feel embarrassed or disconcerted: To make someone lose composure or feel uneasy, often through one's disapproval or critical attitude.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • The principal discountenanced the idea of canceling the final exams. (The principal expressed disapproval of the idea to cancel the final exams.)
  • Her stern frown discountenanced him, making him stumble over his words. (Her stern frown disconcerted him, causing him to stumble over his words.)
  • The committee voted to discountenance any proposal that violated the ethical guidelines. (The committee voted to show disapproval of any proposal violating the ethical guidelines.)

Advanced Usage

• Used in formal or official contexts: "Discountenance" is often used in formal writing, official statements, or discussions of policy and morality.
  • The government's policy was to discountenance all forms of discrimination. (The government's policy was to disapprove of all forms of discrimination.)
• Implicit disapproval through demeanor: The word can describe disapproval shown not through direct action but through attitude or expression.
  • His silence during the debate was meant to discountenance the radical suggestions. (His silence during the debate was intended to show disapproval of the radical suggestions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Discountenancer (noun, rare): One who discountenances.
• Discountenancing (present participle/gerund): The act of showing disapproval.

Synonyms

• Disapprove: To have an unfavorable opinion.
• Discourage: To try to prevent by expressing disapproval or raising objections.
• Frown upon: To disapprove of.
• Disconcert: To disturb the composure of; to fluster (for the second meaning).

Antonyms

• Countenance: To give approval or support to.
• Encourage: To give support, confidence, or hope to.
• Approve: To have a favorable opinion.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• To meet with discountenance: To be received with disapproval.
  • The new regulations met with discountenance from the staff. (The new regulations were received with disapproval from the staff.)
• To hold in discountenance: To regard with disapproval.
  • Such practices have long been held in discountenance by the community. (Such practices have long been regarded with disapproval by the community.)

Verb

1. show disapproval by discouraging
   • any measure tending to fuse invalids into a class with special privileges should be discountenanced
2. look with disfavor on
   • The republic soon discountenanced its few friends