tolerate

[tol-uh-reyt]

verb (used with object)

tolerated, tolerating 

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)

Other Word Forms

• tolerative adjective
• tolerator noun
• nontolerated adjective
• nontolerative adjective
• untolerated adjective
• untolerating adjective
• untolerative 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

“It is vital that the Bar and the Administration take strong action to show the public that the legal profession will not tolerate bad actors.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Racist disparaging comments about any child in our Long Beach schools should never be tolerated,” she said.

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“The behavior in question was wholly inconsistent with our policies, and we do not, and will not, tolerate it.”

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It's a test of which side is best able to tolerate political pain.

Read more on BBC

"We live in a society that prizes freedom of choice and expression, values material wealth and tolerates vast inequality," argues Chris Rojek, sociology professor at City St George's, University of London.

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Related Words

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