Tolerate Meaning
Tolerate Definition & Usage
To allow or accept something unpleasant or difficult to endure, usually in a passive sense.
Examples
- "She tolerated the long meetings, even though she found them tedious."
- "Despite his dislike for spicy food, he tolerated the hot curry for the sake of his guests."
- "He could no longer tolerate the noise from the construction site next door."
- "The teacher tolerated some noise in the classroom but would not let it disrupt learning."
- "They tolerated the constant delays at the airport with patience, knowing there was little they could do."
To accept or permit the existence or behavior of others, especially in the context of diversity, beliefs, or differing opinions.
Examples
- "In a diverse society, we must tolerate different viewpoints and cultural practices."
- "The community has learned to tolerate people of all backgrounds and religions."
- "She was known for her ability to tolerate even the most challenging personalities in the workplace."
- "The city is a place where people from various cultures tolerate each other's differences with respect."
- "Tolerance in the classroom helps create an inclusive environment for all students."
Cultural Context
The concept of tolerance has evolved over centuries, with significant emphasis in modern discussions about human rights, multiculturalism, and social inclusion. Historically, tolerance was linked to religious and political freedom, but it now extends to various aspects of human diversity, including race, gender, and disability.
The Tolerance Test
Story
The Tolerance Test
In the bustling city of Riverstone, there lived a young woman named Claire who worked as a graphic designer. She loved her job but found it hard to tolerate the endless stream of opinions and ideas that often clashed in her creative meetings. The most challenging part of her work was dealing with her colleague, Michael, whose design style was completely opposite to hers. Claire believed in minimalist elegance, while Michael was a fan of vibrant, chaotic layouts. Despite the tension, Claire tolerated his ideas, not because she agreed with them, but because she understood that a successful project often required compromise and collaboration. One day, Riverstone hosted a cultural festival celebrating the diverse communities living there. Claire decided to attend, hoping to learn more about the city's multicultural spirit. She was amazed at how people from different backgrounds coexisted and tolerated each other's traditions, despite their differences. She watched as an elderly woman in traditional attire smiled warmly at a group of teenagers in punk fashion. It struck her that tolerance wasn’t about agreeing with everyone; it was about accepting their right to exist as they were. As Claire walked through the festival, she met a man named Omar, a recent immigrant who had moved to Riverstone from a war-torn country. They struck up a conversation, and Omar spoke about the challenges of settling in a new place where people often didn’t understand his language or customs. Yet, he emphasized that Riverstone’s ability to tolerate and respect newcomers like him made him feel welcomed. This experience sparked something within Claire. She realized that tolerance was not just about tolerating uncomfortable situations in her personal life or work. It was about embracing the diversity around her and respecting the right of others to live according to their own values. As the festival came to a close, Claire returned home, her mind buzzing with new ideas about the importance of tolerance, both in the workplace and in society at large. From that day forward, Claire’s attitude towards her work and colleagues shifted. She learned to tolerate Michael’s chaotic designs with more patience, finding beauty in the balance between their contrasting styles. Her newfound understanding of tolerance made her more open-minded, not just in her professional life, but in her interactions with others outside of work. As the sun set over Riverstone, Claire realized that tolerance wasn’t just a passive act. It was an active, conscious choice to coexist peacefully, despite differences. And that, she thought, was the true meaning of living in harmony.
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