toleration

[tol-uh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of tolerating, especially of what is not actually approved; forbearance.

   to show toleration toward the protesters.

2. permission by law or government of the exercise of religions other than an established religion; noninterference in matters of private faith and worship.

toleration

/ ˌtɒləˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or practice of tolerating

2. freedom to hold religious opinions that differ from the established or prescribed religion of a country

Other Word Forms

• tolerationism noun
• tolerationist noun
• nontoleration noun
• supertoleration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of toleration¹

First recorded in 1510–20, toleration is from the Latin word tolerātiōn- (stem of tolerātiō ). See tolerate, -ion

Synonym Study

See tolerance.

Example Sentences

Mr. George rightly regards any toleration of antisemitism as a violation of principles that can’t be compromised, as he spelled out in a Facebook statement that’s well worth reading:

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Persico mentions that Martin Luther hated Jews and persecuted heretics, and he acknowledges that Locke excluded Catholics and atheists from toleration.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It arose out of a 2023 lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for the company’s alleged toleration of widespread racial harassment of Black employees at its Fremont, Calif., factory.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His famous letter on religious toleration argues that the state must never impose a religion on the people.

Read more on Salon

But the country operates a policy of toleration towards the sale or possession of small amounts of some drugs.

Read more on BBC