Definition of toleratenext

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 Within each species, some cultivars tolerate drought better than others. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 29 June 2026 In clinics in Boston and California, the drug was well tolerated. Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 The Republican Party has spent years tolerating its own forms of political extremism. Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2026 The development of lifesaving medications can be thwarted by too much caution in not tolerating some potential side effects. Dipesh Navsaria, The Conversation, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for tolerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tolerate
Verb
  • Officials advise the public to give bears space and not let pets bother them.
    Finch Walker, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • The method lets scientists detect extremely weak electric and magnetic fields that can interfere with fragile quantum states.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Led by husband-and-wife team Austin and Olivia Kelleher, each headcover is made in the Hudson Valley and embodies sustainability, artistry, and the enduring spirit of the game.
    RS Editors, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2026
  • The teaser opens with a young Jean Valjean enduring the brutal years of his imprisonment before fast-forwarding to his new life and the inevitable pursuit by Inspector Javert, played by Tahar Rahim.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • They both were granted bail, allowing Brown to go on with his stadium tour this year.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 1 July 2026
  • The University of California Health system and Cigna, facing a July 1 deadline to reach a new contract covering a large group of Sacramento-area patients, have agreed to an extension to allow more time for negotiations.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Challenge accepted While visitors boarded the ships to learn about foreign cultures, sailors operating the vessels found their own ways to connect with their international counterparts.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • The Saudi Tennis Federation accepted WTA’s proposal, and the two organizations mutually agreed on the conclusion of the hosting arrangement and remain proud of the achievements realized through their partnership.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Swift will either ignore the noise as usual, or smile at the absurdity as a secure, proud childless cat lady.
    Bryan West, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Not only were the rules misapplied, according to an expert referee with years of elite experience, but similar plays during this tournament have been ignored.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • The collision killed Garcia, who was standing outside of his truck when he was struck.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Soon after then-President Nicolás Maduro was captured by the US in January, Venezuela ended Cuba’s long-standing medical mission in the country, cutting off a key resource in underserved communities.
    Max Saltman, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Gary Chan, who obtained a federal explosives permit for the company, has been charged with seven counts of murder and six charges related to the possession and transportation of explosives.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • The Heat began Tuesday by retaining three-point shooting forward Simone Fontecchio in free agency, and then continued to address its need for outside shooting when league-wide free agent negotiations were permitted to begin Tuesday night.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • About 55% of injuries happen to people actively handling fireworks, and nearly a quarter of the injuries are to bystanders.
    Stephen J. Beard, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Key indicators include how teams handle uncertainty, genuinely challenge each other, learn from failures, and base decisions on current realities.
    Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tolerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tolerate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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