sufferance

noun

ˈsə-f(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce sufferance (audio)
Definition of sufferancenext
1
as in permission
the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something was pointedly reminded that he was at the private beach on sufferance and could be kicked out at any time

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2
as in patience
the capacity to endure what is difficult or disagreeable without complaining spending a whole day with my airheaded sister-in-law is beyond sufferance

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sufferance Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled. — Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025 Through his cult of personality, Modi is fulfilling a century-old project, recasting India as a Hindu nation, in which minorities, particularly Muslims, live at the sufferance of the majority. — Samanth Subramanian Vikas Adam Tanya Pérez Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024 Air India’s nationalization signaled that in independent India private enterprise would survive on the government’s sufferance. — Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 14 Oct. 2021 In the music of Beethoven, there is such an ethical, moral integrity … and power and sufferance. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, 10 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sufferance
  1. permission
  2. patience
  3. authorization
  4. tolerance
  5. consent
  6. granting
Noun
  • Morris won’t be checking in for permission slips or tips on what to do.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 July 2026
  • The Rangers have made no such permissions for Palmeiro, despite a resume that is the color of 1,000 rainbows, including pitch black.
    — Mac Engel July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
Definition of permission
Noun
  • Hyuk-Woon Kwon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to France, added that while fusion energy development requires long-term patience and multi-generational cooperation, the installation milestone demonstrates steady progress.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
  • While he was surprised by his fellow Klutch Sports Group client’s decision, Moody preached patience to Warriors fans fretting about their own team’s inactivity this offseason.
    — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 July 2026
Definition of patience
Noun
  • Guadian pleaded to four counts of aiding and abetting bringing of aliens without authorization for profit, federal court records show.
    — Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 30 July 2026
  • Without authorization, foreign robot makers have essentially no market access.
    — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of authorization
Noun
  • Defense cells require precise engineering tailored for high power delivery, environmental tolerance, and operational longevity.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
  • Aboard is the latest next-gen RV builder to promise auto-grade components, manufacturing methods and tolerances, and its founder Jiangtao Lyu brings along over a decade of automotive experience at brands like BMW, Li Auto and Daimler.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 July 2026
Definition of tolerance
Noun
  • The data reaches only people who use cards and apps, and the hardest barriers are consent, privacy law and access to records held by companies rather than health agencies.
    — John Drake, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
  • In social media posts, Wilson claimed the producers initially withheld consent to show the film at the Toronto International Film Festival to retaliate against her for drawing attention to their bad behavior.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
Definition of consent
Noun
  • Getty Images The granting of a UPEPA special motion to strike means that the plaintiff's complaint was without substantial factual or legal support.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • But without an objective yardstick, two police officers can review the same file and make opposite decisions about the granting of a license.
    — George A. Mocsary, The Conversation, 7 July 2026
Definition of granting

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sufferable
sufferance
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Cite this Entry

“Sufferance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sufferance. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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