tolerate

[ tol-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, tol·er·at·ed, tol·er·at·ing.

1. to allow the existence, presence, practice, or act of without prohibition or hindrance; permit.
2. to endure without repugnance; put up with:

   I can tolerate laziness, but not incompetence.

   Synonyms: accept, support

3. Medicine/Medical. to endure or resist the action of (a drug, poison, etc.).
4. Obsolete. to experience, undergo, or sustain, as pain or hardship.

tolerate

/ ˈtɒləˌreɪt /

verb

1. to treat with indulgence, liberality, or forbearance
2. to permit
3. to be able to bear; put up with
4. med to have tolerance for (a drug, poison, etc)

Derived Forms

• ˈtolerative, adjective
• ˈtolerˌator, noun

Other Words From

• toler·ative adjective
• toler·ator noun
• non·toler·ated adjective
• non·toler·ative adjective
• un·toler·ated adjective
• un·toler·ating adjective
• un·toler·ative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tolerate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin tolerātus “borne,” past participle of tolerāre “to bear”; akin to thole ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of tolerate¹

C16: from Latin tolerāre sustain; related to thole ²

Example Sentences

These election results should send a powerful message to state and federal elected officials and the incoming Trump administration: Americans will not tolerate the trampling of their reproductive rights in blue, purple or red states.

From Los Angeles Times

“I hope this sends a real message to cities that taxpayers aren’t going to tolerate problems like homelessness and drug use and public intoxication, to just be ignored.”

From Los Angeles Times

“America was not going to tolerate the communist regime destroying our freedoms, ripping our borders wide open, trying to turn our kids trans and promoting abortion as reproductive rights,” she said.

From Salon

Shortly after both of my cats died unexpectedly, I could barely tolerate the stillness in my apartment.

From Los Angeles Times

“Johnny always had these slightly risque jokes but had a great sense of what mainstream America would tolerate,” Leno says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abide
• accept
• brook
• condone
• countenance
• endure
• permit
• stand for