toleration

[ tol-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of tolerating, especially of what is not actually approved; forbearance:

   to show toleration toward the protesters.

2. permission by law or government of the exercise of religions other than an established religion; noninterference in matters of private faith and worship.

toleration

/ ˌtɒləˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or practice of tolerating
2. freedom to hold religious opinions that differ from the established or prescribed religion of a country

Derived Forms

• ˌtolerˈationism, noun
• ˌtolerˈationist, noun

Other Words From

• toler·ation·ism noun
• toler·ation·ist noun
• nontol·er·ation noun
• super·toler·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of toleration¹

First recorded in 1510–20, toleration is from the Latin word tolerātiōn- (stem of tolerātiō ). See tolerate, -ion

Synonym Study

See tolerance.

Example Sentences

Citizens show mutual toleration when they peacefully accept their leader has lost without taking violent steps to restore them to power.

From Vox

A lawmaker shows mutual toleration when they accept the result of this election and do not try to overturn it.

From Vox

In a 2018 interview with the Washington Post’s Matt O’Brien, Ziblatt warned that once a major political party abandons norms such as forbearance and mutual toleration, a death spiral may be inevitable.

From Vox

Too often this dynamic results in a toleration of demagogues who show callousness to communities of color in the USA.

From The Daily Beast

Yes, Israel is what Walzer called, in his book On Toleration, a “complicated case.”

From The Daily Beast

Passage of the well known toleration act of England, which so greatly relieved the dissenters.

From Project Gutenberg

But Villegagnon now imagined himself secure in his colony, and threw off the mask of toleration.

From Project Gutenberg

The early years of the reign of Diocletian were characterized for the most part by principles of religious toleration.

From Project Gutenberg

Now this day's discussion was not merely one of form; but it has established toleration in all its extent.

From Project Gutenberg

The attitude of the leaders toward all these differing views has become one of easy toleration.

From Project Gutenberg