tol ‧ e ‧ rate /ˈtɒləreɪt $ ˈtɑː-/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of tolerare ]
1 . to allow people to do, say, or believe something without criticizing or punishing them ⇨ tolerant , tolerance :
We simply will not tolerate vigilante groups on our streets.
2 . to be able to accept something unpleasant or difficult, even though you do not like it ⇨ tolerant , tolerance SYN stand , bear :
I couldn’t tolerate the long hours.
REGISTER
In everyday English, people usually say stand rather than tolerate :
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I don’t know how she can stand working there.
3 . if a plant tolerates particular weather or soil conditions, it can exist in them:
plants that tolerate drought
4 . if a person or their body can tolerate a food or other substance, it can use it without becoming ill:
Women’s bodies can tolerate less alcohol than men’s.
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THESAURUS
▪ tolerate verb [transitive] to accept unpleasant behaviour or an unpleasant situation, even though you do not like it:
We will not tolerate any kind of racism.
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People tolerated corruption for years.
▪ put up with something to accept unpleasant behaviour or an unpleasant situation even though you do not like it. Put up with is less formal than tolerate , and is the usual word to use in everyday English:
I don’t see how you can put up with the constant noise.
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Many people put up with poor pay and working conditions because they are afraid of losing their jobs.
▪ accept verb [transitive] to agree or deal with a situation you do not like but cannot change:
She found it hard to accept his death.
▪ stand/bear verb [transitive , not in progressive] to accept or be forced to accept an unpleasant situation – used especially about things which cause you pain or make you feel upset. Bear is more formal than stand :
I don’t know how you’ve stood it for so long.
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Maisie couldn’t bear the pain any longer.
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How do you stand living in such a mess?
▪ take verb [transitive] informal to accept an unpleasant situation or someone’s unpleasant behaviour without becoming upset:
She was shouting at him and he just stood there and took it.
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I can’t take much more of this.
▪ live with something to accept a bad situation as a permanent part of your life that you cannot change:
I’ve had back pain for many years and I’ve just learned to live with it.
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The guilt I felt was very hard to live with.
▪ endure verb [transitive] written to accept an unpleasant or difficult situation for a long time:
The victims of this war have endured tremendous pain and suffering.
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The refugees endured cramped and filthy conditions.