intolerance

noun

in·​tol·​er·​ance (ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s How to pronounce intolerance (audio)
-ˈtäl-rən(t)s
1
: the quality or state of being intolerant
2
: exceptional sensitivity (as to a drug)
specifically : inability to properly metabolize or absorb a substance

Examples of intolerance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The intolerance carried over to Britain, where students would ask Pratt’s brothers to perform the apocryphal Indian rope trick as a form of disparagement. Hazlitt, 6 Sep. 2023 Evangelicals in both politics and religion have a reputation for intolerance. D.g. Hart, WSJ, 6 Sep. 2023 For him the fight against intolerance is a personal matter. Roger Cohen, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2023 Hydrolyzed whey protein is the best of these three for those with lactose intolerance. Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 28 Aug. 2023 Experts say the state’s policies have allowed intolerance to flourish, creating a powder keg for violence. Hasan Ali, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Aug. 2023 The 2011 resolution advocated education and counter-speech against religious intolerance, asserting the protection of people, not ideologies, under human rights law. Jacob McHangama, Time, 9 Aug. 2023 Nationally, the amount of horse racing deaths is down precipitously from years past, but the public intolerance for equine fatalities far outpaces the reduction. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2023 Rare syndrome shown to link tick bites and red meat intolerance March 21, 202302:59 The new research is at a very early stage, but is an important step to understanding and treating the disease, said Kim Lewis, a Lyme expert and a professor of biology at Northeastern University in Boston. Linda Carroll, NBC News, 1 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intolerance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intolerance was in 1765

Dictionary Entries Near intolerance

Cite this Entry

“Intolerance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intolerance. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

intolerance

noun
in·​tol·​er·​ance (ˈ)in-ˈtäl-(ə-)rən(t)s How to pronounce intolerance (audio)
1
: the quality or state of being intolerant
2
: exceptional sensitivity (as to a drug or food)

Medical Definition

intolerance

noun
in·​tol·​er·​ance (ˈ)in-ˈtäl(-ə)-rən(t)s How to pronounce intolerance (audio)
1
: lack of an ability to endure
an intolerance to light
2
: exceptional sensitivity (as to a food or drug)
specifically : inability to properly metabolize or absorb a substance
glucose intolerance

More from Merriam-Webster on intolerance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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