tolerate

verb

ˈtä-lə-ˌrāt How to pronounce tolerate (audio)
Definition of toleratenext
1
as in to let
to fail to prevent (some behavior on someone's part) especially from neglect or indifference my boss simply doesn't tolerate tardiness

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to endure
to put up with (something painful or difficult) suffering a terrible headache, the poor woman couldn't tolerate all the noise the neighbors were making

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb tolerate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of tolerate are abide, bear, endure, stand, and suffer. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

When would abide be a good substitute for tolerate?

While the synonyms abide and tolerate are close in meaning, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When is it sensible to use bear instead of tolerate?

The synonyms bear and tolerate are sometimes interchangeable, but bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

When could endure be used to replace tolerate?

The words endure and tolerate can be used in similar contexts, but endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

Where would stand be a reasonable alternative to tolerate?

In some situations, the words stand and tolerate are roughly equivalent. However, stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When can suffer be used instead of tolerate?

While in some cases nearly identical to tolerate, suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

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 tolerate But hominins simply cannot tolerate consuming the high levels of protein that large predators can. —ArsTechnica, 28 July 2025 Medicare covers it when tablets are hard to tolerate or ineffective. —Paula Span, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025 Many of our small trees are grafted onto rootstocks that can tolerate our local soil conditions. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025 Some commenters expressed surprise that Marley tolerated a balloon. —Ashley Vega, People.com, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for tolerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tolerate
  1. let
  2. endure
  3. allow
  4. accept
  5. ignore
  6. stand
  7. permit
  8. handle
Verb
  • New features and technologies elevate the quality of car audio, letting brands famous for everything from the loudspeakers at Woodstock to today’s most immersive theaters take their act on the road.
    — Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 27 July 2025
  • Having to buy him out and letting a contender sign him for nothing would be a tough pill to swallow.
    — Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Definition of let
Verb
  • Luzardo has endured serious bruises in the last two months.
    — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 30 July 2025
  • Young’s legacy endures – her school remains a magnet for young performers aged 10 to 16, blending the academic curriculum with intensive training in acting, singing and dance.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2025
Definition of endure
Verb
  • Chlorine and bromine are typically the main bacteria-fighting agents added to pools, and elevated pH can create conditions that allow bacteria to thrive in pool water.
    — Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
  • Berry-Godsey also appeared remotely, but wasn't allowed to speak.
    — Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025
Definition of allow
Verb
  • To the local big-game purists, sharks were the stray dogs of the sea, and if Mundus was willing to control the population he was accepted as an eccentric asset to the community.
    — Pat Smith, Outdoor Life, 24 July 2025
  • The Dawg Pound is an iconic part of the Browns franchise and one of the best representations in sports of fans feeling like and being accepted as part of the organization.
    — Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Definition of accept
Verb
  • Donald Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst, but his administration's heavy-handed tactics in many cases ignore people's constitutional rights and the rule of law.
    — Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
  • Having said that, beachgoers have already been ignoring signs and fencing to get to the beach, especially on weekends.
    — Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 23 July 2025
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • Paul smashed together a pair of two Prime bottles while standing on the ring post and then hit a devastating splash on top of Jelly Roll, who was stretched across the announce table.
    — Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Sterling Sharpe stood on the podium a few feet from his bronze bust, took off his new gold jacket and gave it to his fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame brother.
    — Rob Maaddi, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
Definition of stand
Verb
  • If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2025
  • Filling in for Armstead last season, Paul permitted three sacks and 15 pressures in 229 pass blocking chances, and PFF rated him 81st (worst) among tackles as a run blocker.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 July 2025
Definition of permit
Verb
  • The next court hearing, Dugan said, could be handled over Zoom.
    — Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025
  • Dhillon said that the division will monitor how local authorities handle this incident.
    — Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 29 July 2025
Definition of handle

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tolerantly
tolerate
tolerated
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Cite this Entry

“Tolerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tolerate. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of tolerate for Spanish Speakers

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