Tolerate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈtä-lə-ˌrāt/ tol·er·ate

Meaning & Definition of Tolerate

Tolerate (verb)

  1. to allow to be or to be done without prohibition, hindrance, or contradiction
  2. to put up with
  3. to endure or resist the action of (something, such as a drug or food) without serious side effects or discomfort, exhibit physiological tolerance for

Tolerate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to fail to prevent (some behavior on someone's part) especially from neglect or indifference

    "my boss simply doesn't tolerate tardiness"

    similar: allow, let, permit, suffer, put up with
    related: brush (aside or off), condone, disregard, ignore, overlook, shrug off, wink (at), excuse, forgive, pardon, brook, cater (to), give in (to), humor, indulge
    opposite: bar, block, constrain, prevent
    near: forbid, prohibit, curb, deter, discourage, frustrate, hold back, impede, inhibit, interfere (with)

  2. to put up with (something painful or difficult)

    "suffering a terrible headache, the poor woman couldn't tolerate all the noise the neighbors were making"

    similar: abide, absorb, accept, bear, bide (chiefly dialect), brook, countenance, endure, go, hack, handle, meet, pocket, stand, stick out, stomach, support, sustain, sweat out, take, wear (British), live with, lump (it), stand for, tough it out
    related: allow, permit, suffer, swallow, reconcile (to), acquiesce, agree (with or to), assent (to), capitulate, consent (to), respect, submit (to), yield (to)
    near: decline, dismiss, refuse, reject, repudiate, spurn, turn down, combat, contest, fight, oppose, resist, avoid, bypass, circumvent, dodge, elude, escape, evade, miss, abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Tolerate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Tolerate:

Chiefly dialect: bide
British: wear
allow, let, permit, suffer, abide, absorb, accept, bear, brook, countenance, endure, go, hack, handle, meet, pocket, stand, stick out, stomach, support, sustain, sweat out, take, put up with, live with, lump (it), stand for, tough it out

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Tolerate

Words with the opposite meaning of Tolerate:

bar, block, constrain, prevent

Related Words for Tolerate

brush (aside or off), condone, disregard, ignore, overlook, shrug off, wink (at), excuse, forgive, pardon, cater (to), give in (to), humor, indulge, swallow, reconcile (to), acquiesce, agree (with or to), assent (to), capitulate, consent (to), respect, submit (to), yield (to)

Near Antonyms of Tolerate

forbid, prohibit, curb, deter, discourage, frustrate, hold back, impede, inhibit, interfere (with), decline, dismiss, refuse, reject, repudiate, spurn, turn down, combat, contest, fight, oppose, resist, avoid, bypass, circumvent, dodge, elude, escape, evade, miss

Word Forms of Tolerate

Inflections: tolerated, tolerating

Derived words: tolerative (adjective), tolerator (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Tolerate

Latin toleratus, past participle of tolerare to endure, put up with; akin to Old English tholian to bear, Latin tollere to lift up, latus carried (suppletive past participle of ferre), Greek tlēnai to bear

First known use: 1524

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Tolerate

Frequently Asked Questions about Tolerate

What does "Tolerate" mean?

"Tolerate" means to allow to be or to be done without prohibition, hindrance, or contradiction. As a verb, it is defined as: to allow to be or to be done without prohibition, hindrance, or contradiction. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Tolerate"?

Other words for "Tolerate" include allow, let, permit, suffer, abide, absorb, accept and bear. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Tolerate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Tolerate"?

There are 54 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Tolerate". Common alternatives include allow, let, permit, suffer, abide, absorb, accept, bear, bide and brook.

What is the opposite of "Tolerate"?

Antonyms of "Tolerate" include bar, block, constrain and prevent. Near antonyms include forbid, prohibit, curb and deter.

How do you use "Tolerate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Tolerate" in a sentence: "my boss simply doesn't tolerate tardiness"; "suffering a terrible headache, the poor woman couldn't tolerate all the noise the neighbors were making".

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

"Tolerate" is a verb.

Is "Tolerate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Tolerate" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Tolerate"?

"Tolerate" is pronounced /ˈtä-lə-ˌrāt/ and divided into syllables as tol·er·ate.