Synonyms of tolerate

tolerate

verb

ˈtä-lə-ˌrāt 

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

• let
• allow
• ignore
• permit
• suffer
• put up with
• forgive
• condone
• disregard
• excuse
• overlook
• indulge
• brush (aside or off)
• pardon
• cater (to)
• give in (to)
• shrug off
• brook
• wink (at)
• humor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prevent
• block
• prohibit
• bar
• forbid
• constrain
• discourage
• deter
• inhibit
• interfere (with)
• impede
• curb
• frustrate
• hold back

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

• endure
• accept
• stand
• handle
• take
• sustain
• bear
• absorb
• stomach
• swallow
• abide
• meet
• wear
• support
• countenance
• stand for
• suffer
• live with
• go
• lump (it)
• brook
• allow
• hack
• bide
• stick out
• permit
• sweat out
• tough it out
• pocket
• acquiesce
• reconcile (to)
• respect
• capitulate
• agree (with or to)
• submit (to)
• yield (to)
• consent (to)
• assent (to)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• refuse
• reject
• dismiss
• resist
• oppose
• avoid
• decline
• repudiate
• fight
• combat
• escape
• spurn
• miss
• evade
• turn down
• contest
• circumvent
• bypass
• refrain (from)
• elude
• dodge
• forbear
• abstain (from)

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

Recent Examples of tolerate

What separates Trump from many of his predecessors is not an appetite for war, but a refusal to tolerate endless gray zones. —Jason D. Greenblatt, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026

All these policies are favored, or at least tolerated, by progressive activists. —Judge Glock, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026

Trump is at once a symptom of this disease and its apotheosis, a living representation of all the ways the United States has encouraged, tolerated and rewarded the most selfish and antisocial behaviors imaginable, at least among a certain class of person. —Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026

Some types tolerate regular exfoliation better than others. —Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026