tolerant
adjective
tol·er·ant
ˈtä-lə-rənt 
ˈtäl-rənt
1
a
: willing to accept the beliefs, feelings, habits, or behaviors of another group, culture, etc. as legitimate even when they differ from one's own
Despite his strong opinions, he was tolerant enough to be friends with very different kinds of people …—
Ben Sixsmith
Ben SixsmithAmerican society progressed, leaving the bluenose mentality behind. Actually, today's tolerant values, accepting yesterday's outcasts, are more decent, fair, and humane.—James A. Haught
James A. HaughtCertainly the tribal nature of political and social behavior … is a key to understanding the durability of despotic regimes and the absence of tolerant pluralism.—David K. Shipler
—often used with ofDavid K. ShiplerThe eight-term California Republican built a reputation in House leadership … as a friendly backslapper increasingly tolerant of his party's most hardline members.—Michael Warren and Melanie Zanona
Michael Warren and Melanie Zanona
b
: permitting or accepting something (such as a behavior or belief) that one does not like
tolerant parents
—often used with ofWhen it comes to judging friends and lovers, though, people tend not to be so tolerant of contradiction. A lover who betrays us reveals his entire character in a new and damning light. "I thought I knew you!" we cry, in a howl of anger and bewilderment.—Edward Dolnick
Edward DolnickThe southerner is usually tolerant of those weaknesses that proceed from innocence …—Flannery O'Connor
Flannery O'ConnorI am impressed, when I teach in the United States, by the readiness of students and colleagues to perform boring tasks like reading ill-written but essential texts. … British academic life, by contrast, is markedly less tolerant of tedium; French too.—George Watson
George WatsonHolmes was not prone to friendship, but he was tolerant of the big Scotchman, and smiled at the sight of him.—Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle… an intellectual context that was tolerant of barbarism and inhumanity, or even justified it.—Richard Wolin
Richard Wolin2
: exhibiting tolerance (see tolerance sense 4a) for something (such as a drug or an environmental factor)
The goal of allergy shots is to render a person tolerant to an allergen when it is encountered.—Jane E. Brody
Jane E. BrodyThese organisms aren't just cold tolerant, they're freeze resistant.—Robert C. Cowen
Robert C. CowenWhen bacteria become tolerant to these compounds, they sometimes also become less sensitive to certain antibiotic medicines.—Coco Ballantyne
Coco Ballantyne
tolerantly
adverb
Synonyms of tolerant
Examples of tolerant in a Sentence
this job requires a tolerant person who is used to dealing with complaints and angry customers
a tolerant acceptance of the terrible way that his wife has always treated him
Recent Examples on the Web
Our selection, Stained Glass, is a very showy and weather-tolerant variety bred in England.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Part of the Kordes Sunbelt heat-tolerant series, this shrub rose is compact and disease resistant.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Ferns Ferns, particularly those native to your specific region, offer shade-tolerant greenery and beautiful foliage.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
Prescribed fire can effectively manage invasive plant species that are less fire-tolerant than native plants, giving native species a competitive advantage.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tolerant
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Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
Part of the Kordes Sunbelt heat-tolerant series, this shrub rose is compact and disease resistant.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Ferns Ferns, particularly those native to your specific region, offer shade-tolerant greenery and beautiful foliage.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
Prescribed fire can effectively manage invasive plant species that are less fire-tolerant than native plants, giving native species a competitive advantage.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tolerant
Cite this Entry
“Tolerant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tolerant. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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