Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

tolerate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of tolerate

1 to fail to prevent (some behavior on someone's part) especially from neglect or indifference

  • my boss simply doesn't tolerate tardiness
Synonyms of tolerate

allow, let, permit, suffer
Words Related to tolerate

brush (aside or off), condone, disregard, ignore, overlook, shrug off, wink (at)

excuse, forgive, pardon

brook, cater (to), give in (to), humor, indulge
Phrases Synonymous with tolerate

put up with
Near Antonyms of tolerate

forbid, prohibit

curb, deter, discourage, frustrate, hold back, impede, inhibit, interfere (with)
Antonyms of tolerate

bar, block, constrain, prevent

2 to put up with (something painful or difficult)

  • suffering a terrible headache, the poor woman couldn't tolerate all the noise the neighbors were making
Synonyms of tolerate

abide, absorb, accept, bear, bide [chiefly dialect], brook, countenance, endure, go, hack, handle, meet, pocket, stand, stick out, stomach, support, sustain, sweat out, take, wear [British]
Words Related to tolerate

allow, permit, suffer, swallow

reconcile (to)

acquiesce, agree (with or to), assent (to), capitulate, consent (to), respect, submit (to), yield (to)
Phrases Synonymous with tolerate

live with, lump (it), stand for, tough out (it)
Near Antonyms of tolerate

decline, dismiss, refuse, reject, repudiate, spurn, turn down

combat, contest, fight, oppose, resist

avoid, bypass, circumvent, dodge, elude, escape, evade, miss

abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from)

Synonym Discussion of tolerate

bear, suffer, endure, abide, tolerate, stand mean to put up with something trying or painful. bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.
    • forced to bear a tragic loss
suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.
    • suffering many insults
endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.
    • endured years of rejection
abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.
    • cannot abide their rudeness
tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.
    • refused to tolerate such treatment
stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.
    • unable to stand teasing

Learn More about tolerate

  1. See words that rhyme with tolerate Dictionary: Definition of tolerate Medical Dictionary: Definition of tolerate Spanish Central: Translation of tolerate Nglish: Translation of tolerate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tolerate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up tolerate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games