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

“Everyone has to make a decision about how much engagement they can tolerate without undermining their psychological well-being,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

"They have less side effects, and appear to be able to tolerate more treatment, and we've seen that in other trials, too."

From Science Daily

Rights groups have frequently complained about restrictions on the freedom of speech in the country, alleging that the president - in power since 1986 - does not tolerate criticism.

From BBC

“What they lack in combat they make up for with what they can tolerate physically and mentally,” he adds.

From BBC

"What we won't tolerate are politicians trying to unlawfully destroy our industry, or take the rights of our customers away," he wrote in a Nov. 6 post on X in response to the election results.

From Salon

Related Words

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