tolerable

adjective

ˈtä-lə-rə-bəl How to pronounce tolerable (audio)
Definition of tolerablenext
1
as in endurable
capable of being endured stubbing your toe is at least a more tolerable pain than breaking your foot

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adequate
of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards the accommodations are tolerable though not exactly luxurious

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 tolerable The leaves may only just be changing near you, and temperatures may still be tolerable without a jacket. — Addy Bink, The Hill, 28 Sep. 2026 On the pod, Liao and Cheny come together — sometimes joined by their funniest friends — to debate the chaos of modern social behavior, how to be slightly better humans, and the art of being a tolerable person. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2026 Just like there are only 12 notes in an octave, there are only so many words, concepts, and tolerable puns that beauty brands can come up with to identify and market their products. — Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Sep. 2026 Faucets are regularly tested, and those with lead-laden water — there is no such thing as a tolerable level — are replaced. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tolerable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tolerable
  1. endurable
  2. adequate
  3. bearable
  4. decent
  5. sustainable
  6. satisfactory
  7. fine
  8. good
Adjective
  • Two people with divergent intuitions about what’s normal, or endurable, can end up tussling over the same territory.
    — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
  • Recognizing this makes the feeling more endurable.
    — Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
Definition of endurable
Adjective
  • County officials responsible for issuing building permits have been accused of failing to conduct adequate inspections to ensure developers comply with safety guidelines and construction standards.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Sorrells has been unwilling to seek adequate budget funding from the Commissioners Court, leaving the office understaffed, according to one of the sources.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of adequate
Adjective
  • Amazon’s fall lineup includes everything from autumn-ready corduroy pants and everyday trousers to comfy yoga pants that make long flights a little more bearable.
    — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Humidity levels will be increasing throughout the day, but still bearable.
    — Steven Sosna, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of bearable
Adjective
  • The activists who once demanded radical change begin worrying about their children’s safety, their schools, and whether the neighborhood is a decent place to grow up.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Each tier receives different benefits, but even the lowester level (Green) still gets a decent amount of perks.
    — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of decent
Adjective
  • The trade association acknowledged Children’s Mercy’s importance in providing specialized pediatric care, but said ACA coverage must remain financially sustainable across Missouri’s health care system.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Mindful voices Michelin’s Green Star designation — given to Counter- last year and which noted remarkable efforts in sustainable gastronomy — was retired this year.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sustainable
Adjective
  • Why not, then, return to 2016 spending amounts which seemed satisfactory at the time?
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Harriot quickly found a convenient formula for how many were arranged in a square pyramid based on the number in the bottom row and was able to present Raleigh with a satisfactory solution.
    — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of satisfactory
Adjective
  • Miami did a relatively fine job in Weeks 2 and 3 against some of the most talented backs in Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers and Kenneth Walker of the Chiefs but slipped up the two games prior to the bye against the Vikings and Bengals.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Mario Prada sourced fine leathers, silver, silk and crystal from Europe and beyond and these are on public display in Milan for the first time.
    — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of fine
Adjective
  • While the bathrooms in most accommodations feature walk-in showers, a few of the upstairs rooms have bathtubs, making those rooms a good choice for families.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Thunder star Jalen Williams, the team’s second-leading scorer and best all-around defender during its title run two seasons ago, fractured a fibula and dislocated his left ankle in a gruesome injury Sunday.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of good

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tolerability
tolerable
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Cite this Entry

“Tolerable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tolerable. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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