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

The regime doesn’t tolerate cutting out the almighty state.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern said deaths must be seen as an "abject failure that cannot be tolerated" or accepted as normal.

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But soon, China became the world’s dominant rare-earth producer, in part because the country was more willing to tolerate the environmental costs of mining and processing than the U.S. or Europe.

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An LG spokesman said the company gives priority to safety and doesn’t tolerate illegal hiring or labor practices.

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The Free Speech Union said that the overturning of the conviction sent a message that "anti-religious protests, however offensive to true believers, must be tolerated".

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Related Words

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