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as in to live
to have a home the charming fantasy that fairies abide in the cup-shaped flowers dotting the woodland floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb abide differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of abide are bear, endure, stand, suffer, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When is bear a more appropriate choice than abide?

The words bear and abide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

When could endure be used to replace abide?

While in some cases nearly identical to abide, endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

In what contexts can stand take the place of abide?

The meanings of stand and abide largely overlap; however, stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When might suffer be a better fit than abide?

The synonyms suffer and abide are sometimes interchangeable, but suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When can tolerate be used instead of abide?

The words tolerate and abide can be used in similar contexts, but tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

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 abide Advertisement Majority say presidents must follow court orders Americans overwhelmingly agree that a president should abide by a federal court’s decision, with 83% of respondents saying so. Solcyré Burga, Time, 1 July 2025 Food safety experts have five suggestions for safely using a public grill, including cleaning it properly and abiding by food safety guidelines. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2025 Malaysia will ban plastic waste imports from the U.S. starting Tuesday because of America’s failure to abide by the Basel Convention treaty on international waste transfers, in a move that could have significant consequences for California. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025 Trump arrived early in the evening after injecting uncertainty over whether the U.S. would abide by the mutual defense guarantees outlined in the NATO treaty. Molly Quell, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for abide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abide
Verb
  • As of July 7, at least 10 campers and one counselor remain missing.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 8 July 2025
  • Areas hardest hit by the July 4 floods—including Kerr, Llano, and Bell counties—remain at high risk.
    Hannah Parry Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • The people forced to live alongside thousands of pigs aren’t satisfied.
    Christine Ro, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The guy with the motorcycle who does not have a place to live?
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • But since azaleas tolerate heavy pruning and respond by sending out new shoots all along remaining stems, the shrubs work well when sheared into a formal hedge.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 July 2025
  • More precisely, Jews have been subjected to an invidious double standard: attacks, verbal and physical, that would never be tolerated against Blacks, gays and other minorities are not only tolerated, but often justified when directed at Jews.
    Alan M. Dershowitz, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • The Secret of Us, the second full-length from Abrams, is growing by leaps and bounds on a number of albums rankings at the same time, and that trend could continue.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Place the feet on a piece of cardboard to protect your floor, then continue to pull the range out of place.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • During any outdoor adventure, staying connected can provide you with an extra sense of security.
    Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025
  • Listen to your inner genius to stay bold and courageous!
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • With a price tag north of $2m when new and just 15 Roadsters built, these machines often reside in high-security car caves, and are usually only driven minuscule distances.
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • Despite spending his early career days in Atlanta, Georgia, Cooper Jr. resides in Dallas — the lone star city where he was born and raised.
    Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • The couple hasn't tied the knot, yet their nearly two-decade relationship has endured more than most marriages.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
  • Beyond the West Coast, Florida’s luxury market also endured a turbulent year.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • The war that began on June 13 with Israeli attacks against Iranian nuclear sites lasted for 12 days.
    Jane Arraf, NPR, 29 June 2025
  • Sunday's flight lasted about 10 minutes and 33 seconds, allowing the civilian crew a chance to unbuckle from their seats and briefly experience weightlessness in the capsule.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 29 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abide. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

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