tolerate

verb

tol·​er·​ate ˈtä-lə-ˌrāt 

tolerated; tolerating

transitive verb

1

a

: to allow to be or to be done without prohibition, hindrance, or contradiction

b

: to put up with

learn to tolerate one another

2

: to endure or resist the action of (something, such as a drug or food) without serious side effects or discomfort : exhibit physiological tolerance for

tolerative

ˈtä-lə-ˌrā-tiv 

adjective

tolerator

ˈtä-lə-ˌrā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• allow
• let
• permit
• suffer

Choose the Right Synonym for tolerate

bear, suffer, endure, abide, tolerate, stand mean to put up with something trying or painful.

bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

Examples of tolerate in a Sentence

Our teacher will not tolerate bad grammar.

Racist or sexist behavior will not be tolerated.

I can't tolerate that noise.

The government cannot tolerate lawlessness.

How can you tolerate such laziness?

These plants tolerate drought well.

I don't like my boss, but I tolerate him.

Recent Examples on the Web

While most hydrangeas can tolerate some dryness, bigleaf is a little less hardy and needs regular water, especially in the heat of summer. —Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2024

Beyond Gaza’s borders, ties between Egypt and Israel have grown strained as Israel insists on inspecting all convoys from Egypt after years of tolerating arms smuggling. —Shira Efron, Foreign Affairs, 15 Apr. 2024

But at the time of the assaults, Dre’s actions set a precedent for the type of conduct that would be tolerated in such a regressive environment. —Liz Sanchez, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2024

Your threats against the Jewish community are repulsive, and vile, and will not be tolerated in our community. —Bradford Betz, Fox News, 10 Apr. 2024

Any abuse will not be tolerated and will be reported. —Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

The suffering endured by these innocent animals is incomprehensible and will not be tolerated in our community. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024

Some cultivars tolerate rust, but intolerant cultivars can defoliate completely. —Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024

These tropical evergreen shrubs grow in USDA Zones 8-11, but now many varieties tolerate cooler temperatures and can be grown in Zone 7, such as 'Kleim's Hardy' and 'Frostproof.' How To Grow And Care For Gardenias 03 of 20 Rhododendron Botanical Name: Rhododendron spp. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin toleratus, past participle of tolerare to endure, put up with; akin to Old English tholian to bear, Latin tollere to lift up, latus carried (suppletive past participle of ferre), Greek tlēnai to bear

First Known Use

1524, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

tolerate

verb

tol·​er·​ate ˈtäl-ə-ˌrāt 

tolerated; tolerating

1

: to allow something to be or be done without making a move to stop it : put up with

refused to tolerate such treatment

2

: to withstand the action of

plants that tolerate drought

tolerate a drug

toleration

ˌtäl-ə-ˈrā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

tolerate

transitive verb

tol·​er·​ate ˈtäl-ə-ˌrāt 

tolerated; tolerating

: to endure or resist the action of (as a drug or food) without serious side effects or discomfort : exhibit physiological tolerance for

a premature baby … does not tolerate fats very well

—H. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo