What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Countenance vs Endorse - What's the difference?

countenance | endorse |

As nouns the difference between countenance and endorse

is that countenance is appearance, especially the features and expression of the face while endorse is a diminutive of the pale, usually appearing in pairs on either side of a pale.

As verbs the difference between countenance and endorse

is that countenance is to tolerate, support, sanction, patronise or approve of something while endorse is to support, to back, to give one's approval to, especially officially or by signature.

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

    * * ----

    endorse

    English

    (Endorsement)

    Alternative forms

    * indorse

    Verb

  • To support, to back, to give one's approval to, especially officially or by signature.
  • To write one's signature on the back of a cheque, or other negotiable instrument, when transferring it to a third party, or cashing it.
  • To give an endorsement.
  • Derived terms

    * disendorse * endorsement

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (heraldiccharge) A diminutive of the pale, usually appearing in pairs on either side of a pale.
  • Usage notes

    When a narrow, vertical stripe appears in a coat of arms, it is usually termed a (pallet) when used as the primary charge in the absence of a pale''. The term ''endorse'' is typically used only when the stripes flank a central and wider ''pale''. Diminutive stripes flanking other ''ordinaries are termed (term).