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 added it took any allegation concerning worker welfare and safety extremely seriously, and would not "tolerate intimidation or threats against workers for exercising their rights, including participation in industrial action".

Read more on BBC

Another adaptation traced to a Tibetan wolf-like gene enables Tibetan mastiffs to tolerate low-oxygen environments in the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas.

Read more on Science Daily

Viruses containing an avian-like PB1 gene were able to tolerate the high temperatures associated with fever and caused serious disease in mice.

Read more on Science Daily

Officers should not have to tolerate these incidents as part of the job, Mr Singleton added.

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Other chaparral plants do not rely on fire but instead simply tolerate it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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