Synonym Chooser

How does the verb tolerate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of tolerate are abide, bear, endure, stand, and suffer. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

When would abide be a good substitute for tolerate?

While the synonyms abide and tolerate are close in meaning, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When is it sensible to use bear instead of tolerate?

The synonyms bear and tolerate are sometimes interchangeable, but bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

When could endure be used to replace tolerate?

The words endure and tolerate can be used in similar contexts, but endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

Where would stand be a reasonable alternative to tolerate?

In some situations, the words stand and tolerate are roughly equivalent. However, stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When can suffer be used instead of tolerate?

While in some cases nearly identical to tolerate, suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

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 tolerate Disruptive behavior, including taking part in TikTok trends, before, during, or after a screening will not be tolerated. Zack Sharf, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025 Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Defense Department. Luis Martinez, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025 No offensive language will be tolerated on Celebrity Big Brother UK. Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025 Although the supplements are generally well tolerated, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, are allergic to ferns, or are taking other medications—particularly immune-modulating ones—may not be good candidates, Nazarian said. Kristen Fischer, Health, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tolerate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tolerate
Verb
  • Konan’s lawyers say refusal-to-deliver cases are rare and letting her suit continue would not cripple the postal service.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The lawsuit states that Liberty was negligent in failing to mark the gas line, and that after hitting the gas line, the other three companies were negligent in letting the gas leak continue unchecked.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In response to mounting international pressure, Maduro’s administration has sought to project confidence, insisting that Venezuela can endure the latest wave of U.S. economic measures.
    Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
  • No cause of death was announced, but Finn was described by Playbill as having endured a long illness.
    David Matthews, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Jena, Louisiana — An immigration judge in Louisiana on Friday allowed the Trump administration to move forward with its effort to deport Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil, upholding one of the deportation grounds cited by the government.
    Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The state of exception allowed the police to feel that the government had their backs.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Ja-young not only realizes what’s going on but accepts her grandson’s decision, becoming a reluctant ally in the charade.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Cash only: The Desert Bar doesn't accept credit or debit cards.
    Tiffany Acosta, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Wallen briefly hugged the actress but seemed to ignore the rest of the cast and quickly walked past view of the camera.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.
    Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This defiant position cannot stand—not if the rule of law is to survive.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Today, the total crypto lending market stands at $36.5 billion, still 43% below its $64.4 billion peak in late 2021.
    Nina Bambysheva, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • His White House permitted the attorney general to say that the man’s wife and child are better off without Garcia.
    Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2025
  • If time permits, disconnect utilities and appliances.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Charades will handle international sales, while UTA Independent Film Group will rep U.S. rights.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Some European countries handle the conflict between farmers and the predators by compensating farmers for livestock losses.
    Olivia Ferrari, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tolerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tolerate. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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