intolerance

[ in-tol-er-uhns ]

noun

1. lack of tolerance; unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect opinions or beliefs contrary to one's own.
2. unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect persons of a different social group, especially members of a minority group.
3. incapacity or indisposition to bear or endure:

   intolerance to heat.

4. abnormal sensitivity or allergy to a food, drug, etc.
5. an intolerant act.

Word History and Origins

Origin of intolerance¹

From the Latin word intolerantia, dating back to 1755–65. See intolerant, -ance

Example Sentences

They rejected Proposition 8’s message of hate and intolerance, removed its language from our Constitution and officially renounced the lack of understanding and acceptance the state’s electorate showed in 2008.

From Los Angeles Times

Betsy was taken to A&E with stomach pain, and a food intolerance was suspected.

From BBC

For those with gluten intolerances, packaged gluten-free snacks and pastas made from alternative grains, like rice or lentils, are widely available.

From Salon

“Bob was always one of the friendliest and nicest guys in the news business, a business in which he experienced racism and intolerance,” said Joe Saltzman, a professor of journalism and communication at USC.

From Los Angeles Times

“He feels like he lives in a country where wrongdoers are not punished and the community is really looking to the court here and the justice system to condemn this kind of intolerance.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bigotry
• prejudice