barely tolerate

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely tolerate" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express distaste for something or someone. For example: I can barely tolerate his presence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

It can barely tolerate a hot mug of coffee.

The New Yorker

He would just barely tolerate me watching "Morning Joe".

The New York Times

Better the devil you can barely tolerate, as it were.

The Guardian - Film

("They like you," Dink assures her about his friends. "But they barely tolerate women").

The New York Times - Books

Lewd comedy actor Tom Hanks only became the weepy everyman we barely tolerate today after Big.

The Guardian - Film

This is the diktat of a bankers' ramp that can barely tolerate even a facade of democracy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

— Barely tolerated what others said.

The New Yorker

Zoroastrians and Christians are barely tolerated.

The New York Times - Books

Here, traditional symphonic sonority is barely tolerated.

The New York Times - Arts

In truth, the two men barely tolerated each other.

The New Yorker

GM crops are barely tolerated in the European Union.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "barely tolerate" to express a strong feeling of dislike or impatience towards something. It suggests a limit to one's ability to accept or endure a situation, behavior, or person.

Common error

Avoid using "barely tolerate" when you mean to convey mild annoyance. The phrase implies a strong aversion, so using it for minor inconveniences can sound exaggerated or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely tolerate" functions as a verb phrase indicating a limited ability or willingness to accept someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in expressing strong dislike or limited patience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely tolerate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses a strong feeling of dislike or limited patience. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility in expressing minimal acceptance. It's commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, be mindful of its strength, as it implies a significant aversion. Consider related phrases like "scarcely endure" or "hardly stand" to fine-tune your message. Avoid using it for minor annoyances, as it can sound exaggerated. Remember that while suitable for both formal and informal settings, the tone and context dictates appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely endure

Emphasizes the difficulty in enduring something, suggesting a struggle to accept it.

hardly stand

Highlights a strong dislike or aversion, making it difficult to accept or allow something.

narrowly accept

Focuses on the minimal level of acceptance, implying a reluctant or conditional approval.

just about stomach

Uses a visceral metaphor to convey a low level of acceptance, bordering on disgust.

grudgingly allow

Indicates permission is given reluctantly, with underlying resentment or disapproval.

marginally permit

Suggests a minimal level of permission, with little enthusiasm or support.

begrudgingly put up with

Implies resignation to something unpleasant, without genuine acceptance.

reluctantly abide

Highlights the unwillingness to accept something, but doing so out of necessity or obligation.

only just accept

Focuses on the narrow margin of acceptance, emphasizing how close it is to being rejected.

with limited patience

Highlights the lack of patience while having to deal with an unwanted situation.

FAQs

How can I use "barely tolerate" in a sentence?

You can use "barely tolerate" to express a strong dislike or limited patience for something. For example, "I can "barely tolerate" the noise from the construction site" or "She "barely tolerates" his constant complaining".

What's the difference between "barely tolerate" and "tolerate"?

"Tolerate" means to accept something, even if you don't like it. "Barely tolerate" implies a strong dislike and a limit to how much you can accept it. The phrase ""barely tolerate"" suggests a much lower threshold for acceptance.

What can I say instead of "barely tolerate"?

Alternatives to "barely tolerate" include "scarcely endure", "hardly stand", or "grudgingly allow", depending on the context. These phrases express a similar sense of limited acceptance or strong dislike.

Is "barely tolerate" formal or informal?

"Barely tolerate" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and the situation than on the phrase itself.