tolerate

USAGE SUMMARY

"tolerate" is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It can be used when you want to communicate that you are willing to put up with something, despite it being unpleasant or problematic. Example sentence: I can tolerate my neighbor's loud music, but I wish they would try to be more considerate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's an increase that the companies can easily tolerate, and it would make a significant difference in the lives of low-wage workers.

The Economist

"We are not like other nations who tolerate insult to their holy personality".

The Guardian

"The legal action has made it absolutely clear that we will not stand by and tolerate malicious personal attacks of this nature, which if unchallenged would have seriously damaged the reputations of innocent people".

The Guardian

"We will not tolerate the Germanisation of western and northern Polish territories under the mask of Europeanisation".

The Guardian

I think the party will tolerate the net loss of 20 or so seats, especially if Labour does not improve much on the 256 it held when parliament was dissolved.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dr Clara Strauss, research lead at Sussex Mindfulness Centre, emphasises that MBCT teachers in training learn to have an attitude of acceptance: "Mindfulness is not about getting rid of negative thoughts, it's about learning to sit with and tolerate all of our experiences, including difficult experiences, with kindness and compassion towards ourselves.

The Guardian

But that doesn't mean we have to tolerate it without dissent.

The Guardian

The study, a randomised controlled trial of 60 children with peanut allergy, showed that receiving a fixed dose of a probiotic, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, together with a peanut protein in increasing amounts, led to 80% of those given the oral treatment being able to tolerate 2g of peanut protein daily (a whole peanut is equal to 240mg of peanut protein).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Only 4% of those given a placebo treatment could tolerate peanuts within two to five weeks of the trial.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fed by images and messages on social media and discovering that they are far cleverer than the ragged clutch of paper qualifications by which the rest of us will judge them for the rest of their lives, they have grown resentful at why older generations seem happy to tolerate inequality in an affluent land.

The Guardian - Opinion

But we cannot tolerate repeated and sustained examples of activities that have no place in our community.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the degree of acceptance you want to express. "Tolerate" suggests a lower level of acceptance compared to words like "embrace" or "support". If you want to convey stronger acceptance consider "embrace" or "support".

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "tolerate" with "condone". "Tolerate" means to allow something without interference, even if you dislike it. "Condone" means to approve of or excuse something, which implies a much stronger level of acceptance. Don't accidentally imply approval when you only mean to express endurance.

Linguistic Context

The word "tolerate" primarily functions as a verb. Ludwig AI's examples show it used to describe allowing something to exist or occur without interference, despite disagreement or dislike. This aligns with its dictionary definition and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "tolerate" is a versatile word that means to allow something to exist or happen, even if it's undesirable. As Ludwig AI confirms, "tolerate" is a correct and commonly used word in written English and is very common in News & Media. When writing, remember to consider the level of acceptance you want to express, as "tolerate" implies less approval than words like "embrace" or "support". Be careful not to confuse "tolerate" with "condone", as the latter implies approval. To enhance your writing, explore related phrases such as "put up with", "endure", and "bear with" to add nuance and variety to your expression. By understanding the subtleties of "tolerate", you can improve your ability to communicate effectively and precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put up with

Emphasizes enduring something unpleasant.

endure

Focuses on the act of suffering through something difficult.

bear with

Suggests patience and understanding while enduring something.

live with

Signifies accepting something as a part of one's life, often reluctantly.

stand for

Implies allowing something to happen without opposition.

accept

Indicates a willingness to receive or allow something.

allow

A general term for giving permission or not preventing something.

permit

Suggests formal or official allowance.

countenance

Implies approval or support, often in a formal setting.

stomach

Highlights a strong aversion but forced acceptance.

FAQs

How can I use "tolerate" in a sentence?

You can use "tolerate" to indicate that you allow something to exist or happen, even though you might not like it. For example, "I can tolerate the noise, but it's still annoying."

What are some synonyms for "tolerate"?

Some synonyms for "tolerate" include "put up with", "endure", "bear", and "accept". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "tolerate" and "accept"?

"Tolerate" implies allowing something despite disliking it, whereas "accept" suggests a more willing embrace or agreement. You might "tolerate" a coworker's annoying habits, but "accept" their differences as part of their personality.

Is it better to say "tolerate" or "understand" someone?

It depends on the context. "Tolerate" means you allow their existence or behavior without necessarily agreeing with it. "Understand" implies you comprehend their perspective. Ideally, you'd both understand and accept, but at minimum, you can "tolerate" someone's actions even if you don't understand them.