sufferance

American  

[suhf-er-uhns, suhf-ruhns] / ˈsʌf ər əns, ˈsʌf rəns /

noun

1. passive permission resulting from lack of interference; tolerance, especially of something wrong or illegal (usually preceded by on orby ).

2. capacity to endure pain, hardship, etc.; endurance.

3. Archaic. suffering; misery.

4. Archaic. patient endurance.

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sufferance British  

/ ˈsʌfərəns, ˈsʌfrəns /

noun

1. tolerance arising from failure to prohibit; tacit permission

2. capacity to endure pain, injury, etc

3. the state or condition of suffering

4. archaic patient endurance

5. with reluctance

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Other Word Forms

• nonsufferance noun

Etymology

Origin of sufferance

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sufferaunce, sufferanse, from Old French so(u)france, from Late Latin sufferentia, equivalent to suffer(re) to suffer + -entia -ence, -ance

Explanation

Sufferance is a type of patience, especially the patience to endure pain and suffering. When you suffer, you're in some type of pain, whether physical or emotional. Sufferance is a quality possessed by people who endure such pains patiently and without complaining. Someone who endures a long and serious illness without complaining once has great sufferance. On the other hand, if you complain and whine about minor problems, that shows very little sufferance. This is a word for dealing with difficult situations well and even heroically.

Example Sentences

Perhaps for some—the intrepid and legendary explorers and today's possessed polar workers — the inexplicable pull of the pole stems from the sufferance of a magnetic drive.

From Salon • May 29, 2023

“He’s caught between the reality that he knows and understands and the perspectives and desires and agendas of the owners at whose sufferance he serves,” Edwards said.

From Washington Post • Oct. 18, 2021

—Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

From Textbooks • Jul. 28, 2021

Both hobby and commercial pilots have access to their technology only at the sufferance of the government and the public: It’s a privilege that can and will be taken away if the bad behavior continues.

From Slate • Jan. 3, 2018

What was worse, Lola had made it clear that she too would be acting on sufferance.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

• ability
• capacity
• courage
• fortitude
• grit
• mettle
• patience
• perseverance
• persistence
• stamina
• strength
• tenacity
• tolerance
• vitality