toleration
gb/tˌɑlɚˈeɪʃən/ us/tˌɑlɚˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
~ 10000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
relation
1
official or social allowance of differences
The act of allowing ideas or ways of life that you do not like, especially when done by a government or a whole society.
Usage pattern:
toleration of [beliefs/behavior/group]
Common mistake:
Learners often use *toleration* when *tolerance* is more natural in modern English. In everyday speech, people usually say "religious tolerance" or "tolerance of different views". *Toleration* sounds more formal, historical, or legal, and is common in phrases like "religious toleration" or "a policy of toleration".
Synonyms
tolerance (More common in modern English; slightly broader and less tied to formal policy or legal context.)
|
acceptance (Suggests a more positive, welcoming attitude, while "toleration" can imply reluctantly allowing something.)
Antonyms
intolerance (Refers to refusal to allow different beliefs or practices; directly contrasts with the idea of allowing them.)
|
persecution (Describes active, often violent mistreatment because of beliefs or identity, which is the opposite of allowing them.)
Collocations
religious toleration
|policy of toleration
|toleration of dissent
|call for greater toleration
|limits of toleration
|spirit of toleration
Themes
society
|politics
|law
|religion
|relationships
Examples
- The edict marked a new era of religious toleration in the kingdom.
- A healthy democracy depends on the toleration of political opposition.
- He praised the city for its long tradition of cultural toleration.
- The report criticized the government’s toleration of corruption in local offices.
- Over time, social norms shifted toward greater toleration of different lifestyles.
Learner examples
- The law brought more toleration of different religions.
- Many people want more toleration of minority groups.
- Toleration of other opinions is important in a free country.
- There was little toleration of political protest in that period.
- The new rules show greater toleration of different ways of living.
Noun
formal
C2
state
2
patient endurance of hardship
The act of staying calm and not complaining when you feel pain or something unpleasant for a long time.
Usage pattern:
toleration of [pain/discomfort/conditions]
Common mistake:
Modern English strongly prefers *tolerance* or *endurance* for this idea. Phrases like "tolerance of pain" or "pain tolerance" are much more common than "toleration of pain". Using *toleration* here may sound unusual or old-fashioned.
Synonyms
endurance (Emphasizes strength and ability to continue despite difficulty, not specifically linked to disapproval.)
Antonyms
complaint (Highlights reacting verbally and negatively to hardship instead of calmly enduring it.)
Collocations
toleration of pain
|toleration of discomfort
|remarkable toleration of hardship
|toleration of long hours
Themes
health
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His quiet toleration of constant pain impressed the medical staff.
- The job demands a high level of toleration of stress and uncertainty.
- Her long toleration of poor working conditions finally came to an end.
Learner examples
- He showed great toleration of the pain after surgery.
- The work needs toleration of long, boring hours.
- Her toleration of stress was very strong.
- The athletes’ toleration of hard training was amazing.
Grammar
Dictionary form
toleration
IPA
GB/tˌɑlɚˈeɪʃən/
US/tˌɑlɚˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
tol - er - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (er)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: toleration
- Plural: toleration
Word family
Expressions
limits of toleration
1/lˈɪmɪts əv tˌɑlɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
boundary of what will be allowed
The level or point at which a person, group, or state will stop allowing certain behavior or ideas.
Examples
- The debate focused on the limits of toleration in a free society.
- Acts of violence clearly lie beyond the limits of toleration for any democratic government.
policy of toleration
1/pˈɑlɪsi əv tˌɑlɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
official decision to allow something
A formal decision by a government or organization to allow certain behavior or beliefs, even if many people do not like them.
Examples
- The government adopted a policy of toleration toward peaceful political protests.
- For many years, the authorities followed a policy of toleration rather than strict enforcement.
religious toleration
1/ɹɪlˈɪd͡ʒəs tˌɑlɚˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
allowing different religions to exist
A rule, policy, or way of thinking that lets people follow any religion without being punished or hurt for it.
Examples
- The new constitution guarantees religious toleration for all citizens.
- Periods of religious toleration were often followed by sudden waves of persecution.
- The museum’s exhibit explains how religious toleration slowly developed in Europe.