1
as in permission
the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something
was pointedly reminded that he was at the private beach on sufferance and could be kicked out at any time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in patience
the capacity to endure what is difficult or disagreeable without complaining
spending a whole day with my airheaded sister-in-law is beyond sufferance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sufferance
Every page is alive with animus, ardor, humor, sufferance, with venom for death and its posturing acolytes:
Anyone who has not killed is not a man: This sentence, which Hemingway fashioned, means nothing at all.
—
Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Matchday was a sufferance, the opposite of life-affirming.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 10 July 2024
Through his cult of personality, Modi is fulfilling a century-old project, recasting India as a Hindu nation, in which minorities, particularly Muslims, live at the sufferance of the majority.
—Samanth Subramanian Vikas Adam Tanya Pérez Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The Kirk Douglas, the smallest of the company’s three venues and ostensibly the most experimental, is the scrappy Culver City orphan, living at the sufferance of its older siblings at L.A.’s Music Center.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2023
Air India’s nationalization signaled that in independent India private enterprise would survive on the government’s sufferance.
—Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 14 Oct. 2021
In the music of Beethoven, there is such an ethical, moral integrity … and power and sufferance.
—Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, 10 Sep. 2019
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.
—Thomas Jefferson Et Al, Cincinnati.com, 4 July 2018
Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Matchday was a sufferance, the opposite of life-affirming.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 10 July 2024
Through his cult of personality, Modi is fulfilling a century-old project, recasting India as a Hindu nation, in which minorities, particularly Muslims, live at the sufferance of the majority.
—Samanth Subramanian Vikas Adam Tanya Pérez Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The Kirk Douglas, the smallest of the company’s three venues and ostensibly the most experimental, is the scrappy Culver City orphan, living at the sufferance of its older siblings at L.A.’s Music Center.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2023
Air India’s nationalization signaled that in independent India private enterprise would survive on the government’s sufferance.
—Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 14 Oct. 2021
In the music of Beethoven, there is such an ethical, moral integrity … and power and sufferance.
—Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, 10 Sep. 2019
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.
—Thomas Jefferson Et Al, Cincinnati.com, 4 July 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sufferance
Noun
-
In addition to identifying tools, Reco assesses the data access levels assigned to each one, keeping an eye on permissions and usage to mitigate risks of exposure.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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One day back then, Dina grabbed a gun and went for a walk, without permission.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Summer family travel doesn’t have to drain your bank account or patience.—
Jordi Lippe-McGraw,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
-
Bongino has repeatedly asked for patience in his social media posts.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
Noun
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But consent is a dynamic, not static, concept, Martin said.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025
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The defense is attempting to establish grounds for consent.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
Here, Yoo shares a few key dos and don’ts to keep in mind when making cocktails with soju: Do adjust the amount of soju to your own personal taste and alcohol tolerance.—
Heather Riske,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 May 2025
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But bats’ most impressive superpower is a remarkable tolerance to viral infections.—
Avery Hurt,
Discover Magazine,
17 May 2025
Noun
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The two left the Lewisville Juvenile Treatment Center without authorization around 2:45 p.m.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
19 May 2025
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That's true in Minnesota, where the proposal to strip the state's health insurance coverage for adults in the country without authorization emerged as part of a compromise budget framework.—
Laura Fitzgerald,
NPR,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sufferance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sufferance. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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