Sufferance — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈsə-f(ə-)rən(t)s/ suf·fer·ance

Meaning & Definition of Sufferance

Sufferance (noun)

  1. patient endurance
  2. pain, misery
  3. consent or sanction implied by a lack of interference or failure to enforce a prohibition

Sufferance (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something

    "was pointedly reminded that he was at the private beach on sufferance and could be kicked out at any time"

    similar: allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, license, permission, sanction, warrant
    related: imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp, accreditation, certification, liberty, pass, concession, patent, permit, tolerance, toleration, acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent, OK, accord, grant
    opposite: interdiction, prohibition, proscription
    near: denial, refusal, rejection, revocation, taboo, injunction, veto, deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression, ban, embargo, exclusion

  2. the capacity to endure what is difficult or disagreeable without complaining

    "spending a whole day with my airheaded sister-in-law is beyond sufferance"

    similar: forbearance, long-suffering, patience, tolerance
    related: acquiescence, resignation, passiveness, passivity, amenability, compliance, conformism, docility, obedience, subordination, tractability, willingness, discipline, self-control, submission, submissiveness
    opposite: impatience
    near: defiance, contrariness, disobedience, insubordination, intractability, recalcitrance, resistance, willfulness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Sufferance

The most common words with a similar meaning to Sufferance:

allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, license, permission, sanction, warrant, forbearance, long-suffering, patience, tolerance

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Sufferance

Words with the opposite meaning of Sufferance:

interdiction, prohibition, proscription, impatience

Related Words for Sufferance

imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp, accreditation, certification, liberty, pass, concession, patent, permit, toleration, acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent, OK, accord, grant, resignation, passiveness, passivity, amenability, compliance, conformism, docility, obedience, subordination, tractability, willingness

Near Antonyms of Sufferance

denial, refusal, rejection, revocation, taboo, injunction, veto, deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression, ban, embargo, exclusion, defiance, contrariness, disobedience, insubordination, intractability, recalcitrance, resistance, willfulness

Origin & Etymology of Sufferance

Middle English suffraunce, sufferaunce "affliction, endurance," borrowed from Anglo-French suffrance, suffraunce, borrowed from Late Latin sufferentia "endurance," from Latin sufferent-, sufferens, present participle of sufferre "to submit to, endure" + -ia -ia:1

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Sufferance

on sufferance

Frequently Asked Questions about Sufferance

What does "Sufferance" mean?

"Sufferance" means patient endurance. As a noun, it is defined as: patient endurance. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Sufferance"?

Other words for "Sufferance" include allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light and leave. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Sufferance" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Sufferance"?

There are 50 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Sufferance". Common alternatives include allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, license and permission.

What is the opposite of "Sufferance"?

Antonyms of "Sufferance" include interdiction, prohibition, proscription and impatience. Near antonyms include denial, refusal, rejection and revocation.

How do you use "Sufferance" in a sentence?

Examples of "Sufferance" in a sentence: "was pointedly reminded that he was at the private beach on sufferance and could be kicked out at any time"; "spending a whole day with my airheaded sister-in-law is beyond sufferance".

Is "Sufferance" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Sufferance" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Sufferance"?

"Sufferance" is pronounced /ˈsə-f(ə-)rən(t)s/ and divided into syllables as suf·fer·ance.

What is the origin of the word "Sufferance"?

"Sufferance" comes from Middle English suffraunce, sufferaunce "affliction, endurance," borrowed from Anglo-French suffrance, suffraunce, borrowed from Late Latin sufferentia "endurance," from Latin sufferent-, sufferens, present participle of sufferre "to submit to, endure" + -ia -ia:1. First known use: 14th century.