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tolerate

verb
tol·​er·​ate | \ ˈtĂ€-lə-ˌrāt How to pronounce tolerate (audio) \
tolerated; tolerating

Definition of tolerate

transitive verb

1a : 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
Other Words from tolerate Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about tolerate

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Other Words from tolerate

tolerative \ ˈtĂ€-​lə-​ˌrā-​tiv How to pronounce tolerative (audio) \ adjective
tolerator \ ˈtĂ€-​lə-​ˌrā-​tər How to pronounce tolerator (audio) \ noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for tolerate

Synonyms

allow, let, permit, suffer

Antonyms

bar, block, constrain, prevent

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The leaders of Britain’s Labour Party have for years tolerated anti-Semitism in the ranks. — The Economist, "Historical memorials are not enough to stop anti-Semitism in Europe," 22 Aug. 2019 Goodheart does tolerate Three Stooges-style ear-tweaking violence, and even a fist to the testicles. — Christopher Arnott, courant.com, "Review: Elm Shakespeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors’ a joyous, joke-based stroll in the park," 19 Aug. 2019 However, these climate winners can tolerate only so much warming, and may see declines as temperatures continue to rise. — Chris Free, The Conversation, "Ocean warming has fisheries on the move, helping some but hurting more," 19 Aug. 2019 Bars and restaurants have been stigmatized as places where bad behavior is tolerated—both backstage as well as in public. — Fortune, "How the Bar Industry Plans to Deal With Harassment in the Workplace—Including Unruly Guests," 17 Aug. 2019 Scientists at the Honduran Foundation for Agricultural Research, or FHIA, have developed bananas that tolerate TR4 and other diseases, but these may be too unfamiliar to appeal to consumers and farmers. — National Geographic, "The banana is one step closer to disappearing," 12 Aug. 2019 With Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry and Rashard Higgins in place, and Derrick Willies and Jaelen Strong as options, Dorsey assembled a receiving corps that can tolerate the loss of Callaway for four games. — Doug Lesmerises, cleveland.com, "Antonio Callaway’s suspension is John Dorsey’s issue: Doug Lesmerises," 9 Aug. 2019 In the 1990s, Ronald and her lab embarked on a project to sequence and understand a trait in an ancient variety of rice that can tolerate intense flooding, allowing the crop to survive even if submerged for weeks. — Megan Molteni, WIRED, "Crispr Can Help Solve Our Looming Food Crisis—Here's How," 8 Aug. 2019 Homosexuality was not tolerated in the community — Johnson tells me stories of boys who were sent to conversion therapy. — Leah Sottile, Longreads, "Chapter Five: The Remnant," 20 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tolerate.' 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 tolerate

1524, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for tolerate

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

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More Definitions for tolerate

tolerate

verb
How to pronounce tolerate (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of tolerate

: to allow (something that is bad, unpleasant, etc.) to exist, happen, or be done
: to experience (something harmful or unpleasant) without being harmed
: to accept the feelings, behavior, or beliefs of (someone)

See the full definition for tolerate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

tolerate

verb
tol·​er·​ate | \ ˈtĂ€-lə-ˌrāt How to pronounce tolerate (audio) \
tolerated; tolerating

Kids Definition of tolerate

1 : to allow something to be or to be done without making a move to stop it Our teacher will tolerate a certain amount of giggling.
2 : to stand the action of These plants tolerate drought well.

tolerate

transitive verb
tol·​er·​ate | \ ˈtĂ€l-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce tolerate (audio) \
tolerated; tolerating

Medical Definition of tolerate

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

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