discountenance

[ dis-koun-tn-uhns ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·coun·te·nanced, dis·coun·te·nanc·ing.

1. to disconcert, embarrass, or abash:

   With his composure, he survived every attempt to discountenance him.

2. to show disapproval of:

   The teachers discountenanced smoking by the students.

noun

1. disapproval; disapprobation.

discountenance

/ dɪsˈkaʊntɪnəns /

verb

1. to make ashamed or confused
2. to disapprove of

noun

1. disapproval

Other Words From

• dis·counte·nanc·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discountenance¹

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

Example Sentences

He may be ever so cultured or refined; indeed, he may even be attractive, still he is discountenanced simply on account of the accident of color.”

From Washington Post

“In a siege,” said Dr. Trefusis, “time’s passage is itself an event, and one of the keenest weapons of assault. You appear discountenanced.”

From Literature

But when Hamilton pleaded a second time, Reverend Moore agreed, provided that if he lived, Hamilton would “employ all your influence in society to discountenance this barbarous custom.”

From New York Times

We cannot stop it, but we can speak against it and write it down, and discountenance it in every possible way, as we are all bound to do.

From Project Gutenberg

Emancipation, in spite of harsh laws passed to discountenance it, had rapidly gone on.

From Project Gutenberg