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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 The White House has pushed backed on these allegations, arguing that Trump is attending the event in his personal time and abiding by all conflict-of-interest laws. Julia Shapero, The Hill, 22 May 2025 Longtime 'Survivor' host Jeff Probst and other producers opened up to PEOPLE about all the rules contestants must abide by on the high-stakes reality show 1 Comments Survivor is about to crown another winner, but the $1 million prize can only be earned by those who are willing to play by the rules. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 21 May 2025 Issuers must abide by some anti-money laundering rules and anti-terrorism sanctions. Medora Lee, USA Today, 21 May 2025 Trump and his family, however, don’t seem to abide by their America First philosophy. Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for abide
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abide
Verb
  • The incident remains under investigated by Meriden Police detectives and anyone with information should contact Det.
    Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 1 June 2025
  • What remain enduringly relevant are the book’s insights into the nature of design innovation, which Jencks described as analogous to biological evolution, a constant flow of emergent, divergent, and convergent streams.
    Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 1 June 2025
Verb
  • And now, their playoff hopes live to see another day.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
  • Anyone who lives or works in Northwest Indiana is eligible for consideration.
    Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • Marie Lodi My next session took place three months later, at which time Francis said my skin had tolerated the laser really well.
    Marie Lodi, Allure, 1 June 2025
  • Which means that losing in the second round again, for instance, won’t be tolerated and could cost Treliving — set to enter the third year of what is, according to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, a four-year contract — his job.
    Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • According to a fundraiser created by her sister, Dallas Jimenez, her family continues to seek answers in her disappearance and death.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • And per his usual, the trips to the line (11 of 14 in all) continued throughout.
    Sam Amick, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Americans are living longer, staying healthier, and working in less physically demanding jobs.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 23 May 2025
  • For SMEs working toward being nature positive, success depends on having a clear purpose, setting measurable goals, and staying flexible as strategies evolve.
    Claire Poole, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Before the 1987 season, in an effort to generate more offense, a new rule moved pitchers back an additional three feet, to the 43 feet the circle’s center currently resides.
    Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • Latifah currently resides between Virginia, Chicago, and Kuwait.
    Latifah Al-Hazza, AFAR Media, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • And any enduring culture has answers for parents — traditions around feeding, rest, socialization, purpose and the transition to adulthood.
    Mathilde Ross, CNBC, 31 May 2025
  • With only $276 million in debt and $2.2 billion in cash, this company is well-equipped to endure uncertainties.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • The trial is expected to last several weeks, and Judge Arun Subramanian recently confirmed that the trial will most likely conclude before July 4.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 25 May 2025
  • It was scheduled to last a week, but the state hastily shut it down after two days when nearly 300 bears were killed, close to the maximum allowed.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abide.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abide. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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