If you describe someone as tolerant, you approve of the fact that they allow other people to say and do as they like, even if they do not agree with or like it.
[approval]
They need to be tolerant of different points of view. [+ of]
Other changes include more tolerant attitudes to unmarried couples having children.
Synonyms: broad-minded, understanding, sympathetic, open-minded More Synonyms of tolerant
tolerantlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
She had listened tolerantly to his jumbled account.
2. adjective
If a plant, animal, or machine is tolerant of particular conditions or types of treatment, it is able to bear them without being damaged or hurt.
...plants which are more tolerant of dry conditions. [+ of]
Alpine strawberries are tolerant of most soils.
tolerant in British English
(ˈtɒlərənt)
adjective
1.
able to tolerate the beliefs, actions, opinions, etc, of others
2.
permissive
3.
able to withstand extremes, as of heat and cold
4. medicine
(of a patient) exhibiting tolerance to a drug
Derived forms
tolerantly (ˈtolerantly)
adverb
tolerant in American English
(ˈtɑlərənt)
adjective
1.
having or showing tolerance of others' beliefs, practices, etc.
2. Medicine
of or having tolerance
Derived forms
tolerantly (ˈtolerantly)
adverb
Word origin
L tolerans, prp.: see tolerate
Examples of 'tolerant' in a sentence
tolerant
But after a few months you become tolerant to it.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In many ways it will be a celebration of lives well lived in a tolerant and successful society.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We are more tolerant and less judgmental.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This is a great country and a tolerant country.
The Sun (2008)
Everything in our tolerant nature says people should be free to follow their beliefs.
The Sun (2013)
This is not a picture of a diverse and tolerant society.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The body also becomes tolerant to the drug.
The Sun (2012)
This cashier would be happier in some less tolerant land.
The Sun (2014)
Britain is a very generous and tolerant country.
The Sun (2012)
The third value that runs through my politics is my belief in a tolerant and generous society.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Britain had become a more tolerant nation.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is growing evidence that students are becoming less tolerant of slack teaching.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Britain is a more diverse and tolerant country now.
The Sun (2012)
He will dance his way to a more liberal and tolerant society.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Beijing has become less tolerant of criticism.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Rural areas remain less diverse and less tolerant of difference as a result.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Does it make us a more tolerant society?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But poorer people and those with few qualifications are much less tolerant.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Only when we become completely tolerant.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
They're more tolerant of other people.
Christianity Today (2000)
The British are the most tolerant people on earth.
The Sun (2013)
This is meant to be a tolerant, civilised country that respects each other.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The atmosphere of people getting on, of people more tolerant of each other.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A robust plant that is tolerant of most soil conditions, it will quickly form a thick hedge.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They are tough, long-lasting plants that are tolerant of light shade.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Growing - lemon balm makes best growth in fairly rich moist soil in a sunny position, although it is a tolerant plant.
Stickland, Sue Planning the Organic Herb Garden (1986)
They were also likely to be less tolerant of corrupt behaviour, such as fiddling expenses, but only if such fiddles were not the norm in the country.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
tolerant
British English: tolerant /ˈtɒlərənt/ ADJECTIVE
If you are tolerant, you let other people say and do what they like, even if you do not agree with it or approve of it.
Society is becoming more tolerant of difference.
American English: tolerant
Arabic: مُتَسَامِح
Brazilian Portuguese: tolerante
Chinese: 宽恕的
Croatian: tolerantan
Czech: tolerantní
Danish: tolerant
Dutch: tolerant
European Spanish: tolerante
Finnish: suvaitsevainen
French: tolérant
German: tolerant
Greek: ανεκτικός
Italian: tollerante
Japanese: 寛容な
Korean: 관대한
Norwegian: tolerant
Polish: tolerancyjny
European Portuguese: tolerante
Romanian: tolerant
Russian: терпимый
Latin American Spanish: tolerante
Swedish: tolerant
Thai: ที่มีความอดทน
Turkish: hoşgörülü
Ukrainian: толерантний
Vietnamese: bao dung
Chinese translation of 'tolerant'
tolerant
(ˈtɔlərnt)
adj
宽(寬)容的 (kuānróng de)
to be tolerant of对(對) ... 宽(寬)容 (duì ... kuānróng)
(adjective)
Definition
accepting of the beliefs, actions, etc., of other people
They need to be tolerant of different points of view.
Synonyms
broad-minded
You'll find me more broad-minded than you think.
understanding
Her boss, who was very understanding, gave her time off.
sympathetic
open-minded
I have always been open-minded about politics.
patient
She was endlessly kind and patient with children.
fair
soft
He says the measure is soft and weak on criminals.
catholic
He was a man of catholic tastes, enjoying music and fine arts of all kinds.
charitable
Some people take a less charitable view of his behaviour.
indulgent
His indulgent mother was willing to let him do what he wanted.
easy-going
They have a very easy-going attitude to life.
long-suffering
I went back to my wonderful, long-suffering wife.
lax
One of the problems is lax security for airport personnel.
lenient
The Professor takes a slightly more lenient view.
permissive
Her parents are permissive and set few clear boundaries.
magnanimous
free and easy
She had a free and easy approach.
forbearing
kind-hearted
unprejudiced
an independent, free-thinking and unprejudiced group
complaisant
latitudinarian
unbigoted
easy-oasy (slang)
Opposites
authoritarian
,
strict
,
prejudiced
,
biased
,
stern
,
rigid
,
sectarian
,
repressive
,
bigoted
,
dictatorial
,
dogmatic
,
intolerant
,
tyrannical
,
narrow-minded
,
despotic
,
illiberal
,
uncharitable
Additional synonyms
in the sense of catholic
Definition
(of tastes or interests) covering a wide range
He was a man of catholic tastes, enjoying music and fine arts of all kinds.
Synonyms
wide,
general,
liberal,
global,
varied,
comprehensive,
universal,
world-wide,
tolerant,
eclectic,
all-inclusive,
ecumenical,
all-embracing,
broad-minded,
unbigoted,
unsectarian,
multicultural,
multiculti (informal)
in the sense of charitable
Definition
kind or lenient in one's attitude towards others
Some people take a less charitable view of his behaviour.
Synonyms
kind,
understanding,
forgiving,
sympathetic,
favourable,
tolerant,
indulgent,
lenient,
considerate,
magnanimous,
broad-minded
in the sense of easy-going
Definition
relaxed in manner or attitude
They have a very easy-going attitude to life.
Synonyms
relaxed,
easy,
liberal,
calm,
flexible,
mild,
casual,
tolerant,
laid-back (informal),
indulgent,
serene,
lenient,
carefree,
placid,
unconcerned,
amenable,
permissive,
happy-go-lucky,
unhurried,
nonchalant,
insouciant,
even-tempered,
easy-peasy (slang),
chilled (informal)
Synonyms of 'tolerant'
tolerant
Explore 'tolerant' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of forbearing
Synonyms
patient,
easy,
moderate,
forgiving,
mild,
tolerant,
clement,
indulgent,
long-suffering,
lenient,
merciful
in the sense of free and easy
Definition
casual or tolerant
She had a free and easy approach.
Synonyms
relaxed,
liberal,
casual,
informal,
tolerant,
laid-back (informal),
easy-going,
lax,
lenient,
uninhibited,
unceremonious
in the sense of indulgent
Definition
kind or lenient, often to excess
His indulgent mother was willing to let him do what he wanted.
Synonyms
lenient,
liberal,
kind,
kindly,
understanding,
gentle,
tender,
mild,
fond,
favourable,
tolerant,
gratifying,
easy-going,
compliant,
permissive,
forbearing
in the sense of lax
Definition
lacking firmness
One of the problems is lax security for airport personnel.
Synonyms
slack,
casual,
careless,
sloppy (informal),
easy-going,
negligent,
lenient,
slapdash,
neglectful,
slipshod,
remiss (formal),
easy-peasy (slang),
overindulgent
in the sense of lenient
Definition
tolerant, not strict or severe
The Professor takes a slightly more lenient view.
Synonyms
merciful,
sparing,
gentle,
forgiving,
kind,
tender,
mild,
tolerant,
compassionate,
clement,
indulgent,
forbearing
in the sense of long-suffering
Definition
enduring trouble or unhappiness without complaint
I went back to my wonderful, long-suffering wife.
Synonyms
uncomplaining,
patient,
resigned,
forgiving,
tolerant,
easy-going,
stoical,
forbearing
in the sense of open-minded
Definition
willing to consider new ideas
I have always been open-minded about politics.
Synonyms
unprejudiced,
liberal,
free,
balanced,
catholic,
broad,
objective,
reasonable,
enlightened,
tolerant,
impartial,
receptive,
unbiased,
even-handed,
dispassionate,
fair-minded,
broad-minded,
undogmatic
in the sense of patient
Definition
enduring difficult situations with an even temper
She was endlessly kind and patient with children.
Synonyms
forbearing,
understanding,
forgiving,
mild,
accommodating,
tolerant,
indulgent,
lenient,
even-tempered
in the sense of permissive
Definition
tolerant or lenient, esp. in sexual matters
Her parents are permissive and set few clear boundaries.
Synonyms
tolerant,
liberal,
open-minded,
indulgent,
easy-going,
free,
lax,
lenient,
forbearing,
acquiescent,
latitudinarian,
easy-oasy (slang)
in the sense of soft
Definition
kind or lenient, often to excess
He says the measure is soft and weak on criminals.
Synonyms
lenient,
easy-going,
lax,
liberal,
weak,
indulgent,
permissive,
spineless,
boneless,
overindulgent
Additional synonyms
in the sense of understanding
Definition
kind, sympathetic, or tolerant towards people
Her boss, who was very understanding, gave her time off.
Synonyms
sympathetic,
kind,
compassionate,
considerate,
kindly,
accepting,
patient,
sensitive,
forgiving,
discerning,
tolerant,
responsive,
perceptive,
forbearing
in the sense of unprejudiced
Definition
free from bias
an independent, free-thinking and unprejudiced group