tolerate

verb

tol·​er·​ate ˈtä-lə-ˌrāt 

tolerated; tolerating

transitive verb

1

a

: to allow to be or to be done without prohibition, hindrance, or contradiction

b

: to put up with

learn to tolerate one another

2

: to endure or resist the action of (something, such as a drug or food) without serious side effects or discomfort : exhibit physiological tolerance for

tolerative

ˈtä-lə-ˌrā-tiv 

adjective

tolerator

ˈtä-lə-ˌrā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of tolerate

• let
• allow
• ignore
• permit

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of tolerate in a Sentence

Our teacher will not tolerate bad grammar.

Racist or sexist behavior will not be tolerated.

I can't tolerate that noise.

The government cannot tolerate lawlessness.

How can you tolerate such laziness?

These plants tolerate drought well.

I don't like my boss, but I tolerate him.

Recent Examples on the Web

The plant does well in wet areas and will tolerate part shade. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026

First, rising yields due to better nominal economic growth are typically tolerated more readily, since nominal GDP growth is a primary driver of corporate profits. — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

What Premier League clubs have shifted away from is — and apologies for the bluntness here — tolerating goalkeepers who aren’t good enough at saving shots. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

While most healthy adults can tolerate moderately high protein intake, overloading on protein could create health problems, such as kidney damage and digestive issues. — Linda M. Boland, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin toleratus, past participle of tolerare to endure, put up with; akin to Old English tholian to bear, Latin tollere to lift up, latus carried (suppletive past participle of ferre), Greek tlēnai to bear

First Known Use

1524, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for tolerate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

tolerate

verb

tol·​er·​ate ˈtäl-ə-ˌrāt 

tolerated; tolerating

1

: to allow something to be or be done without making a move to stop it : put up with

refused to tolerate such treatment

2

: to withstand the action of

plants that tolerate drought

tolerate a drug

toleration

ˌtäl-ə-ˈrā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

tolerate

transitive verb

tol·​er·​ate ˈtäl-ə-ˌrāt 

tolerated; tolerating

: to endure or resist the action of (as a drug or food) without serious side effects or discomfort : exhibit physiological tolerance for

a premature baby … does not tolerate fats very well

—H. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo