tolerated
Tolerated (adjective) means Endured or permitted, even if not fully approved of. Example: “Smoking was once tolerated in offices; now it's banned almost everywhere.”
How to use tolerated
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe past-tense/adjective form of "tolerate" — something that was allowed to continue despite disapproval.
Word forms
more tolerated comparative, most tolerated superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Smoking was once _____ in offices; now it's banned almost everywhere.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for tolerated
See all rhymes for tolerated →Frequently asked questions
What does “tolerated” mean?
The word “tolerated” means endured or permitted, even if not fully approved of. In plain terms, the past-tense/adjective form of "tolerate" — something that was allowed to continue despite disapproval.
How do you use “tolerated” in a sentence?
Here is “tolerated” used in a sentence: “Smoking was once tolerated in offices; now it's banned almost everywhere.”
What part of speech is “tolerated”?
“Tolerated” is an adjective.
Is “tolerated” a common word?
“Tolerated” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between tolerated and accepted?
Tolerated means something is endured or permitted even though it is not fully approved of, implying reluctant acceptance. Accepted suggests genuine approval or agreement, with no sense of grudging endurance behind it.
Is tolerated always a mild or neutral word?
Not necessarily. Because tolerated implies something is only put up with rather than welcomed, it can carry a faintly negative undertone, suggesting the speaker disapproves even while allowing the thing to continue.
How is tolerated typically used in a sentence structure?
Tolerated is usually the past participle in passive constructions, such as 'the noise was tolerated' or 'his behavior would not be tolerated,' showing that something was endured or permitted by someone else.