1 sufferance | Definition of sufferance
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sufferance

noun
suf·​fer·​ance | \ ˈsÉ™-f(É™-)rÉ™n(t)s How to pronounce sufferance (audio) \

Definition of sufferance

1 : patient endurance
2 : pain, misery
3 : consent or sanction implied by a lack of interference or failure to enforce a prohibition
4 : endurance sense 1
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about sufferance

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Examples of sufferance in a Sentence

was pointedly reminded that he was at the private beach on sufferance and could be kicked out at any time spending a whole day with my airheaded sister-in-law is beyond sufferance

Recent Examples on the Web

 In the music of Beethoven, there is such an ethical, moral integrity … and power and sufferance. — Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, "CSO conductor Riccardo Muti on the strike and his future: ‘What the world knows about the Chicago Symphony is still maybe … taken for granted’," 10 Sep. 2019 Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. — Thomas Jefferson Et Al, Cincinnati.com, "The United States Declaration of Independence," 4 July 2018 Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. — Thomas Jefferson Et Al, Cincinnati.com, "The United States Declaration of Independence," 4 July 2018 Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. — Thomas Jefferson Et Al, Cincinnati.com, "The United States Declaration of Independence," 4 July 2018 Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. — Thomas Jefferson Et Al, Cincinnati.com, "The United States Declaration of Independence," 4 July 2018 Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. — Thomas Jefferson Et Al, Cincinnati.com, "The United States Declaration of Independence," 4 July 2018 Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. — Thomas Jefferson Et Al, Cincinnati.com, "The United States Declaration of Independence," 4 July 2018 Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. — Thomas Jefferson Et Al, Cincinnati.com, "The United States Declaration of Independence," 4 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sufferance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of sufferance

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for sufferance

Middle English suffraunce, sufferaunce "affliction, endurance," borrowed from Anglo-French suffrance, suffraunce, borrowed from Late Latin sufferentia "endurance," from Latin sufferent-, sufferens, present participle of sufferre "to submit to, endure" + -ia -ia entry 1

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More Definitions for sufferance

sufferance

noun
suf·​fer·​ance | \ ˈsÉ™-frÉ™ns, -fÉ™-rÉ™ns How to pronounce sufferance (audio) \

Legal Definition of sufferance

: consent or sanction implied by a lack of interference or failure to enforce a prohibition — see also estate at sufferance at estate sense 1, tenancy at sufferance at tenancy

More from Merriam-Webster on sufferance

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sufferance

Britannica English: Translation of sufferance for Arabic Speakers

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