TOLERATE Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'tolerate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of tolerate are abide , bear , endure , stand , and suffer . While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful. // refused to tolerate such treatment

Q: When would 'abide' be a good substitute for 'tolerate'?

While the synonyms abide and tolerate are close in meaning, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest. // cannot abide their rudeness

Q: When is it sensible to use 'bear' instead of 'tolerate'?

The synonyms bear and tolerate are sometimes interchangeable, but bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking. // forced to bear a tragic loss

Q: When could 'endure' be used to replace 'tolerate'?

The words endure and tolerate can be used in similar contexts, but endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties. // endured years of rejection

Q: Where would 'stand' be a reasonable alternative to 'tolerate'?

In some situations, the words stand and tolerate are roughly equivalent. However, stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching. // unable to stand teasing

Q: When can 'suffer' be used instead of 'tolerate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to tolerate , suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing. // suffering many insults

tolerate

verb

ˈtä-lə-ˌrāt

Definition of tolerate

as in to let

to fail to prevent (some behavior on someone's part) especially from neglect or indifference my boss simply doesn't tolerate tardiness

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to endure

to put up with (something painful or difficult) suffering a terrible headache, the poor woman couldn't tolerate all the noise the neighbors were making

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb tolerate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of tolerate are abide, bear, endure, stand, and suffer. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

When would abide be a good substitute for tolerate?

While the synonyms abide and tolerate are close in meaning, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When is it sensible to use bear instead of tolerate?

The synonyms bear and tolerate are sometimes interchangeable, but bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

When could endure be used to replace tolerate?

The words endure and tolerate can be used in similar contexts, but endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

Where would stand be a reasonable alternative to tolerate?

In some situations, the words stand and tolerate are roughly equivalent. However, stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When can suffer be used instead of tolerate?

While in some cases nearly identical to tolerate, suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of tolerate As a guidebook for government, any religion is too constrictive to tolerate true liberty. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026 Ultimately, the court did not sanction Wagner in the case, but the decision stands to put attorneys and other professionals in Tax Court on notice that AI hallucinations will not be tolerated. — Kaitlin Newkirk, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Latif, a hitman who’s also a father of three and a practicing Muslim, faces compounding crises when his wife dies, leaving him with a newborn who can’t tolerate formula. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026 Start with a small glass (about 4 ounces) and gradually increase as your body tolerates it. — Lindsey Desoto, HEALTH, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tolerate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tolerate

Verb

The continent’s political leaders must seize the moment to act, and not let this moment of Europtimism slide.

— Sophie Dembinski, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Doing so lets Bee’s AI take some actions on your behalf, like drafting emails or sending calendar invites based on your conversations.

— Victoria Song, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of let

Verb

The film explores the contradictions of a Bulgarian town pulled into Europe’s shifting geopolitical order, where arms production for Ukraine’s frontlines collides with enduring ties to Russia, personal convictions, and the everyday need to survive.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The enduring lesson of Reykjavík is not simply about nuclear weapons or diplomacy.

— Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of endure

Verb

Rather than requiring every country or operator to develop and maintain their own satellite network, the model would allow participants to integrate their systems with a broader infrastructure.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026
This allows the system to identify actions that may appear harmless individually but become dangerous in context.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of allow

Verb

Rather than accept his acclaim, a boozy Lee gets on stage and immediately tears into the crowd for being sellouts.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
All donations are tax-deductible and can be made through its online zakat-giving portal, which accepts recurring and one-time payments as high as $10,000 or amounts of one’s choosing.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of accept

Verb

While the Broncos haven’t returned to the tournament since then, this year’s squad blends continuity with exciting new faces and stands a serious chance of bringing Boise State back to the NCAA Tournament.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2026
So here stood Jones, a play away from something happening against the Longhorns that felt impossible days ago.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of stand

Verb

Many of his domestic critics have faulted him for prolonging the war in Gaza to appease his far-right allies, and for permitting ultra-Orthodox Jews to forgo military service to appease that sizable religious voter bloc.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
The Vatican said that Leo had expressed deep concern about conditions in Oleshky and sought a ceasefire to permit aid deliveries and evacuations.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of permit

Verb

Tippett’s team animated physical puppets, while ILM handled compositing and digital fire, smoke and explosions.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Needless to say, the system has to be robust enough to handle battlefield conditions, including electronic warfare and communications blackouts.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of handle

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tolerantly

tolerate

tolerated

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“Tolerate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tolerate. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tolerate

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