tolerant
8 synonyms and 7 antonyms for tolerant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Willing to accept or respect beliefs, practices, or people different from one's own.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
Etymology
From French "tolérant" or directly from Latin "tolerans," the present participle of "tolerō" ("to endure").
Full origin of tolerant →Frequently asked questions
What does “tolerant” mean?
The word “tolerant” means willing to accept or respect beliefs, practices, or people different from one's own. In plain terms, accepting of differences in others, or (for plants, materials, etc.) able to withstand harsh conditions.
How do you pronounce “tolerant”?
“Tolerant” is pronounced TO-luh-ruhnt (/ˈtɑːləɹənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “tolerant” in a sentence?
Here is “tolerant” used in a sentence: “She raised her kids to be tolerant of other cultures.”
What is another word for “tolerant”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tolerant” include patient, resistant and sufferable.
What is the opposite of “tolerant”?
The opposite of “tolerant” — its antonyms — are brittle, intolerant, nonresistant, nontolerant and unresistant.
What part of speech is “tolerant”?
“Tolerant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “tolerant” come from?
The word “tolerant” comes from Latin. From French "tolérant" or directly from Latin "tolerans," the present participle of "tolerō" ("to endure").
Is “tolerant” a common word?
“Tolerant” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between tolerant and permissive?
Tolerant means accepting or respecting beliefs, practices, or people that differ from one's own, usually implying a degree of principled restraint. Permissive suggests allowing almost anything with few limits or judgments at all, which can carry a more negative connotation of being lax rather than open-minded.
Can tolerant describe things other than people?
Yes. Besides describing a person who accepts different beliefs or people, tolerant is also used of organisms, materials, or systems that can withstand or survive difficult conditions, as in a drought-tolerant plant.
What is the opposite of tolerant?
The opposite of tolerant is intolerant, meaning unwilling to accept differing beliefs, practices, or people, or unable to withstand certain conditions.