sufferance

noun suf·fer·ance \ ˈsə-f(ə-)rən(t)s \

Definition of sufferance

1 :patient endurance

2 :pain, misery

3 :consent or sanction implied by a lack of interference or failure to enforce a prohibition

4 :endurance 2

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Examples of sufferance in a Sentence

was pointedly reminded that he was at the private beach on sufferance and could be kicked out at any time
spending a whole day with my airheaded sister-in-law is beyond sufferance

Recent Examples of sufferance from the Web

Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

— amy b wang, chicagotribune.com, "NPR tweeted the Declaration of Independence. Some thought it was 'propaganda.'," 5 July 2017
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

— amy b wang, Washington Post, "Some Trump supporters thought NPR tweeted ‘propaganda.’ It was the Declaration of Independence.," 5 July 2017
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

— amy b wang, chicagotribune.com, "NPR tweeted the Declaration of Independence. Some thought it was 'propaganda.'," 5 July 2017
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

— amy b wang, Washington Post, "Some Trump supporters thought NPR tweeted ‘propaganda.’ It was the Declaration of Independence.," 5 July 2017
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

— amy b wang, chicagotribune.com, "NPR tweeted the Declaration of Independence. Some thought it was 'propaganda.'," 5 July 2017
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

— amy b wang, Washington Post, "Some Trump supporters thought NPR tweeted ‘propaganda.’ It was the Declaration of Independence.," 5 July 2017
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

— amy b wang, chicagotribune.com, "NPR tweeted the Declaration of Independence. Some thought it was 'propaganda.'," 5 July 2017
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

— amy b wang, chicagotribune.com, "NPR tweeted the Declaration of Independence. Some thought it was 'propaganda.'," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sufferance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of sufferance

14th century

sufferance Synonyms

Synonyms

allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, license (or licence), sanction, permission, warrant

Antonyms

interdiction, prohibition, proscription

Related Words

imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp; accreditation, certification; liberty, pass; concession, patent, permit; tolerance, toleration; acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent, OK (or okay); accord, grant

Near Antonyms

denial, refusal, rejection, revocation; taboo (also tabu); injunction, veto; deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression; ban, embargo, exclusion

Law Dictionary

sufferance

noun suf·fer·ance \ ˈsə-frəns, -fə-rəns \

legal Definition of sufferance

:consent or sanction implied by a lack of interference or failure to enforce a prohibition — see also estate at sufferance at estate 1, tenancy at sufferance at tenancy

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