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Commend vs Countenance - What's the difference?

commend | countenance |

As verbs the difference between commend and countenance

is that commend is to congratulate or reward while countenance is to tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something.

As nouns the difference between commend and countenance

is that commend is (obsolete) commendation; praise while countenance is appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.

commend

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To congratulate or reward.
  • To praise or acclaim.
  • * Dryden
  • Historians commend Alexander for weeping when he read the actions of Achilles.
  • To entrust or commit to the care of someone else.
  • * Bible, Luke xxiii. 46
  • Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.
  • To mention by way of courtesy, implying remembrance and goodwill.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Commend me to my brother.
  • To recommend.
  • * Sir M. Hale
  • Among the objects of knowledge, two especially commend themselves to our contemplation.
  • * Bible, Romans xvi. 1
  • I commend unto you Phoebe our sister.
  • To force in a mental way.
  • See also

    * suggest * consider * approval

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) commendation; praise
  • * Shakespeare
  • Speak in his just commend .
  • (obsolete, in the plural) compliments; greetings
  • * Howell
  • Hearty commends and much endeared love to you.

    countenance

    English

    Alternative forms

    * countenaunce (obsolete)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Appearance, especially the features and expression of the face.
  • * , Genesis 4:5
  • But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1959, author=(Georgette Heyer), title=(The Unknown Ajax), chapter=1
  • , passage=But Richmond, his grandfather's darling, after one thoughtful glance cast under his lashes at that uncompromising countenance appeared to lose himself in his own reflections.}}
  • Favour; support; encouragement.
  • * (Bible), (Psalms) xxi. 6
  • Thou hast made himglad with thy countenance .
  • * (Francis Atterbury) (1663-1732)
  • This is the magistrate's peculiar province, to give countenance to piety and virtue, and to rebuke vice.
  • (label) Superficial appearance; show; pretense.
  • * (Roger Ascham) (1515-1568)
  • The election being done, he made countenance of great discontent thereat.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Verb

    (countenanc)
  • To tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something.
  • ''The cruel punishment was countenanced by the government, although it was not officially legal.
  • * 1925 , Franz Kafka, The Trial'', ''Vintage Books (London) , pg. 99:
  • For the Defence was not actually countenanced by the Law, but only tolerated, and there were differences of opinion even on that point, whether the Law could be interpreted to admit such tolerances at all.

    Synonyms

    * approve, sanction, support, tolerate

    References

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