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
Relevance
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
And Stewart, who is not, now works at their sufferance.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2025
Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
David Remnick, New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2025
Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sufferance
Noun
-
Since then, the IRGC has charged tolls on ships granted permission and attacked any that tried to cross unauthorized.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
1 June 2026
-
But North Carolina is a Dillon Rule state, meaning Charlotte can only pass policies if the state has given it explicit permission to do so.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Equipped with sophisticated recording equipment, machine learning algorithms, and a deep well of resolve and patience, bioacousticians are finding communication patterns between animals once thought unique to humans.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
3 June 2026
-
The couple’s patience paid off.—
Jody Garlock,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Fireworks set off without authorization in Rome reportedly triggered a mass stampede of frightened horses during a late-night rehearsal for Italy’s annual Republic Day parade, injuring multiple riders and animals.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
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Citigroup Top pick Citigroup is up 67% over the past 12 months with more room to run, Bank of America said after CEO Jane Fraser's investor day earlier this month, which included news of a $30 billion buyback authorization.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Be sure to weigh costs, storage needs and risk tolerance before making a decision.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Park officials cite zero-tolerance ride safety rules banning all loose articles — even snacks.—
Assistant Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Using Airbnb homes as robot testing grounds without the hosts’ knowledge or consent would be a risky business move, especially because any damage caused by the robots would be suboptimal advertising for robots intended for household use.—
Andrew Cunningham,
ArsTechnica,
1 June 2026
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In practice, that often means simplifying vendor relationships, reducing dependence on cross-environment identifiers, pressure-testing consent flows and building strategies that continue performing when identity signals become more limited.—
Tony Gonzalez,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
But, as is often the case with these kinds of monkey’s paws, the granting of a wish comes at a great cost—the wishmaker’s life.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In this age of excess and endless wish granting, self denial becomes a superpower and a necessity.—
Maggie Anders,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sufferance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sufferance. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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