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v. en·dured, en·dur·ing, en·dures v.tr. 1. To carry on through, despite hardships; undergo or suffer: endure an Arctic winter. 2. To put up with; tolerate: I cannot endure your insolence any longer. v.intr. 1. To continue in existence; last: buildings that have endured for centuries. 2. To suffer patiently without yielding. [Middle English enduren, from Old French endurer, from Latin indūrāre, to make hard : in-, against, into; see EN-1 + dūrus, hard; see deru- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] Synonyms: endure, bear1, stand, abide, suffer, tolerate These verbs mean to put up with something, especially something difficult, annoying, or painful. Endure stresses forbearance in the face of ongoing difficulties: "Human life is everywhere a state in which much is to be endured and little to be enjoyed" (Samuel Johnson). Bear can suggest a stalwart capacity to put up with something painful or unpleasant: "Those best can bear reproof who merit praise" (Alexander Pope). Stand and the more formal abide often imply forbearance that comes from resolute self-control under provoking circumstances: He couldn't stand taking orders from anyone. She couldn't abide fools. Suffer has a similar range but adds a suggestion of meekness or resignation: He suffered their insults in silence. Tolerate, in this sense, generally connotes a reluctant or indulgent acceptance: "Young Konrad loved animals, and his parents tolerated the many household pets he acquired—birds, a dog, fish, a lemur" (Dale Peterson). |
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