to accept behaviour and beliefs that are different from your own, although you might not agree with or approve of them
I will not tolerate that sort of behaviour in my class.
Oxford Essential Dictionary
tolerate
verb (tolerates, tolerating, tolerated)
to let people do something even though you do not like or understand it:
He won't tolerate rudeness.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
tolerate
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:
▪ 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.
• • •
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. | 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. | 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. | Maisie couldn’t bear the pain any longer. | 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. | 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. | 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. | The refugees endured cramped and filthy conditions.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
tolerate
tol·er·ate [tolerate tolerates tolerated tolerating] [ˈtɒləreɪt] [ˈtɑːləreɪt] verb
1. to allow sb to do sth that you do not agree with or like
Syn: put up with
• ~ sth Their relationship was tolerated but not encouraged.
• This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.
• ~ (sb/sth) doing/being/having sth She refused to tolerate being called a liar.
2. ~ sb/sth to accept sb/sth that is annoying, unpleasant, etc. without complaining
Syn: put up with
• There is a limit to what one person can tolerate.
• I don't know how you tolerate that noise!
3. ~ sth to be able to be affected by a drug, difficult conditions, etc. without being harmed
• She tolerated the chemotherapy well.
• Few plants will tolerate sudden changes in temperature.
Verb forms:
Word Origin:
early 16th cent. (in the sense ‘endure pain’: from Latin tolerat- ‘endured’, from the verb tolerare.
Example Bank:
• I will not tolerate this conduct!
• It is technically illegal but widely tolerated.
• She actually seemed pleased to see him: most of her visitors she merely tolerated.
• The condition makes it difficult to tolerate bright light.
• The government is not prepared to tolerate this situation any longer.
• This plant prefers alkaline soil, though it will readily tolerate some acidity.
• This plant will readily tolerate some acidity.
• Union activity was officially tolerated but strongly discouraged.
• I don't know how you tolerate that noise!
• Most perennials will tolerate being transplanted.
• Young and elderly people cannot tolerate alcohol as well as other adults.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
tolerate / ˈtɒl. ə r.eɪt / / ˈtɑː.lə.reɪt / verb [ T ] (ACCEPT)
B2 to accept behaviour and beliefs that are different from your own, although you might not agree with or approve of them:
I will not tolerate that sort of behaviour in my class.
[ + -ing verb ] I won't tolerate ly ing .
tolerate / ˈtɒl. ə r.eɪt / / ˈtɑː.lə.reɪt / verb [ T ] (DEAL WITH)
C2 to deal with something unpleasant or annoying, or to continue existing despite bad or difficult conditions:
These ants can tolerate temperatures that would kill other species.
Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
tolerate
[tɒ̱ləreɪt]
tolerates, tolerating, tolerated
1) VERB If you tolerate a situation or person, you accept them although you do not particularly like them.
[V n] She can no longer tolerate the position that she's in...
[V n] The cousins tolerated each other, but did not really get on well together.
Syn:
put up with
Derived words:
toleration [tɒ̱ləre͟ɪʃ(ə)n] N-UNCOUNT ...his views on religious toleration, education, and politics.
2) VERB If you can tolerate something unpleasant or painful, you are able to bear it.
[V n] The ability to tolerate pain varies from person to person.
Syn:
bear
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
tolerate
tol·er·ate /ˈtɑːləˌreɪt/ verb -ates; -at·ed; -ating [+ obj]
1 : to allow (something that is bad, unpleasant, etc.) to exist, happen, or be done
• Our teacher will not tolerate bad grammar.
• Racist or sexist behavior will not be tolerated.
• I can't tolerate that noise.
• The government cannot tolerate lawlessness.
• How can you tolerate such laziness?
2 : to experience (something harmful or unpleasant) without being harmed
• These plants tolerate drought well.
3 : to accept the feelings, behavior, or beliefs of (someone)
• I don't like my boss, but I tolerate him.
- tol·er·a·tion /ˌtɑːləˈreɪʃən/ noun [noncount]
• religious toleration