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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 Some people leaped from the stairs without hesitation and abided for 20 or 30 seconds, giggling and gasping and treading water. Julia Whelan Emma Kehlbeck Jeremy McLennan, New York Times, 2 May 2025 Those dalliances cemented her abiding love of tweed, sailor stripes, cashmere knits, and—thanks to the indulgent Duke—gigantic love jewels, worn in rule-breaking multiples. Steff Yotka, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025 What might destroy us is our own fear, not just of the other who is a neighbor and a stranger but also of ourselves, of that black hole of abiding mysteries within us that so many of us cannot solve on our own. Viet Thanh Nguyễn, Time, 28 Apr. 2025 What if the courts find in your favor, but the administration doesn’t abide by their decision? Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abide
Verb
  • Where to Watch Marvel's 'Thunderbolts*' Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts* remains in theaters following its May 2 release.
    Jenna deJong, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, the baseline 10% tariff Trump announced April 2 will remain in effect for most U.K. imports, which could lead to higher prices for consumers.
    Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Although President Donald Trump during the 2024 campaign said his administration would focus primarily on violent criminals living illegally in the United States, ICE agents have also been targeting foreign college students and other people who lack any history of violent crime.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • The 51st AMAs will air live coast-to-coast at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • By early 2025, Beijing responded decisively, summoning Apple for discussions—a significant development indicating the Chinese government may no longer tolerate Apple's inflexible policies.
    Vivian Toh, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
  • This administration will not tolerate noncitizens causing mayhem on our college campuses.
    Greg Wehner , Alexis McAdams , Louis Casiano , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Jury selection is underway, and as the trial continues to ramp up, its grip on our culture will likely only grow stronger.
    Charles Trepany, USA Today, 10 May 2025
  • But these people, because of their caring for the community, are continuing to show up every day, day in and day out, and making sure that the work that needs to happen during a measles outbreak happens.
    Dan Gorenstein, NPR, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • If a kid is a violent kid, and the kid is being let off with multiple warnings and minimal disciplinary consequences after giving every indication of being violent and dangerous, that violence and that danger may not stay inside of the building.
    Holly Yan, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
  • Home climate control often comes with trade-offs: a second-floor bedroom that stays five degrees warmer than the rest of the house, rising electricity costs during peak summer months, or the high cost of installing central air conditioning.
    Jon Stojan, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • The pope’s grandparents resided in New Orleans’ Seventh Ward, an historically Black neighborhood, before moving to Chicago, Honora said.
    Nicholas Reimann, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • To do that, trust must reside in the patient-physician relationship itself.
    Faisal Kutty, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • There has been action enough in the Grand Tour’s first week to fill three, with general classification (GC) expectations shattered, enduring class on display, and even a surprise new wearer of the pink jersey.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 19 May 2025
  • Strat was next, its shape as familiar and enduring as that of a spoon.
    Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Or a slightly thicker phone with a beefier battery that could last two days?
    Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 13 May 2025
  • Judge Beverly Cannone estimated the trial could last between six and eight weeks.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abide. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

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