tolerate
gb/tˈɑlɚˌeɪt/ us/tˈɑlɚˌeɪt/
B2
English
~ 5100
eltűr, tűr, bír, tolerál, elfogad
VERB
B2
1
eltűr
B2
Usage pattern:
to tolerate [someone/something]
I will not tolerate that kind of language in my house.
Nem tűröm el az ilyen beszédet a házamban.
The school has a strict policy and does not tolerate bullying.
Az iskolának szigorú szabályzata van, és nem tűri el a zaklatást.
For years, the community tolerated the factory's pollution, but now they are protesting.
How can you tolerate his constant complaining?
Learner examples
My boss will not tolerate employees being late.
A főnököm nem tűri el, ha az alkalmazottak késnek.
I can tolerate the loud music for a little while, but not all night.
Egy darabig el tudom viselni a hangos zenét, de egész éjjel nem.
She had to tolerate her roommate's messy habits.
The teacher told the class, "I will not tolerate cheating."
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'tolerate' with 'accept'. 'Tolerate' means you dislike something but allow it to continue (e.g., 'I tolerate the noise'). 'Accept' is more neutral or positive, meaning you agree to it or have come to terms with it (e.g., 'I accept your apology').
Meaning
endure something unpleasant
Collocations
tolerate noise
|tolerate disrespect
|tolerate bad behavior
|tolerate criticism
|cannot tolerate
|refuse to tolerate
Synonyms
put up with (More informal than 'tolerate'. Often used in everyday conversation.)
|
endure (Suggests suffering through something more difficult or for a longer period of time.)
|
stand (Very common and informal, especially in the negative ('can't stand') to express strong dislike.)
|
accept ('Accept' can be neutral or positive, implying agreement or resignation. 'Tolerate' always implies that you dislike the thing you are allowing.)
Antonyms
forbid (To officially order someone not to do something; a direct and authoritative opposite.)
|
reject (To actively refuse to accept or consider something.)
|
oppose (To actively disagree with and try to prevent something.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|behavior
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To accept or allow behavior, a situation, or an opinion that you find annoying or unpleasant, without trying to stop it.
To allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of something that one dislikes or disagrees with, without interference.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to tolerate [a substance/condition]
Some patients cannot tolerate the side effects of the new drug.
Egyes betegek nem tűrik jól az új gyógyszer mellékhatásait.
These desert plants can tolerate extreme heat and long periods of drought.
Ezek a sivatagi növények jól tűrik a szélsőséges hőséget és a hosszú száraz időszakokat.
As he got older, he found he could no longer tolerate spicy food.
The bridge was engineered to tolerate high winds and earthquakes.
Learner examples
My stomach can't tolerate milk.
A gyomrom nem bírja a tejet.
This plant can tolerate very cold weather.
Ez a növény jól tűri a nagy hideget.
The doctor gave me a medicine that my body can tolerate well.
Some people cannot tolerate peanuts.
Meaning
physically withstand something
Collocations
tolerate dairy
|tolerate medication
|tolerate heat
|tolerate gluten
|tolerate pain
Synonyms
withstand (Emphasizes strength and resistance against a powerful force (e.g., withstand a storm, withstand pressure).)
|
endure (Often implies surviving a difficult or painful experience over time.)
|
handle (More informal and general; can apply to physical or emotional stress (e.g., 'can't handle spicy food').)
Antonyms
react to (To have an adverse or noticeable physical reaction to a substance.)
|
be allergic to (A specific medical term for having a negative immune system reaction to something.)
Themes
health
|biology
|science
|food
Definition
To be able to eat, drink, or be exposed to something (like a food, medicine, or type of weather) without getting sick or having a bad physical reaction.
To be capable of enduring or resisting the physiological effects of a particular substance, condition, or treatment without harm.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
to tolerate [a belief/practice/group]
A free and democratic society must be willing to tolerate dissent.
Egy szabad és demokratikus társadalomnak késznek kell lennie arra, hogy tolerálja az ellenvéleményeket.
The ancient empire was known for tolerating a wide variety of religious practices among its subjects.
Az ókori birodalom arról volt ismert, hogy alattvalói körében sokféle vallási gyakorlatot tolerált.
Learning to tolerate ambiguity is a key part of intellectual maturity.
Learner examples
Good governments tolerate different political opinions.
A jó kormányok tolerálják az eltérő politikai véleményeket.
It is important to tolerate people who have different beliefs.
Fontos, hogy elfogadjuk azokat az embereket, akiknek más a meggyőződésük.
Our debate club tolerates all points of view during discussions.
Common mistake:
This formal meaning can be confused with the more common, negative one. While both involve allowing something you don't agree with, this sense is often used to describe a virtue (e.g., of a person or society), whereas the first sense is about enduring an annoyance.
Meaning
allow different beliefs or opinions
Collocations
tolerate dissent
|tolerate different views
|tolerate ambiguity
|tolerate diversity
|tolerate other religions
Synonyms
permit (Implies giving official consent or authorization.)
|
allow (A more general term for not preventing something from happening.)
|
respect ('Respect' implies a positive regard or admiration, whereas 'tolerate' is more neutral and simply means to allow existence without interference.)
Antonyms
persecute (To treat a group of people cruelly or unfairly, especially because of their beliefs.)
|
suppress (To forcibly put an end to something, like an opinion or a movement.)
|
condemn (To express complete and public disapproval of something.)
Themes
politics
|society
|religion
|philosophy
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a society or group, to allow people to have different opinions, beliefs, or ways of life, even if you don't agree with them.
To recognize and respect others' beliefs, practices, or ways of life without sharing them, especially in matters of religion, politics, or personal conduct.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tolerate
IPA
GB/tˈɑlɚˌeɪt/
US/tˈɑlɚˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
tol - er - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (tol)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: tolerate
- 3rd Person Singular: tolerates
- Present Participle: tolerating
- Past: tolerated
Word family
Forms
tolerates
verb
tolerating
verb
tolerated
verb
Related words
tolerantly
adverb
tolerably
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
toleration
noun C1
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.