ENDURE Synonyms: 113 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'endure' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of endure are abide , bear , stand , suffer , and tolerate . While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties. // endured years of rejection

Q: When is 'abide' a more appropriate choice than 'endure'?

While the synonyms abide and endure are close in meaning, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest. // cannot abide their rudeness

Q: Where would 'bear' be a reasonable alternative to 'endure'?

Although the words bear and endure have much in common, bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking. // forced to bear a tragic loss

Q: When can 'stand' be used instead of 'endure'?

The synonyms stand and endure are sometimes interchangeable, but stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching. // unable to stand teasing

Q: When would 'suffer' be a good substitute for 'endure'?

While in some cases nearly identical to endure , suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing. // suffering many insults

Q: When is it sensible to use 'tolerate' instead of 'endure'?

The words tolerate and endure can be used in similar contexts, but tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful. // refused to tolerate such treatment

endure

verb

in-ˈdu̇r

Definition of endure

as in to undergo

to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it an elderly couple who have endured the ups and downs of a half century of married life

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to tolerate

to put up with (something painful or difficult) at some point we all have to endure the loss of a beloved pet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to remain

to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state the fashion business is built on change, since nobody expects a particular clothing style to endure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb endure differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of endure are abide, bear, stand, suffer, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

When is abide a more appropriate choice than endure?

While the synonyms abide and endure are close in meaning, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

Where would bear be a reasonable alternative to endure?

Although the words bear and endure have much in common, bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

When can stand be used instead of endure?

The synonyms stand and endure are sometimes interchangeable, but stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When would suffer be a good substitute for endure?

While in some cases nearly identical to endure, suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When is it sensible to use tolerate instead of endure?

The words tolerate and endure can be used in similar contexts, but tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of endure Then again, so is this inexplicable two-and-a-half-year stretch of low-risk, juiceless attacking hockey that Pettersson has just endured. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Visitors to the Fort Worth Stockyards can now get an up close look at the history of Cowtown and the animal that made the city an enduring symbol of the American West. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026 Portland State is no heavyweight, having endured a 1-11 season in 2025, but a triumph of the Aggies would serve as a wrench to the Aggies’ early season hopes. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 26 Aug. 2026 That paradox is at the heart of why Curry’s work will always endure. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for endure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for endure

Verb

That oil can then undergo further processing and hydrotreatment to produce SAF.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Thompson served as a guest judge that season while Cowell, who underwent a six-hour surgery that included the placement of a metal rod in his back, recovered.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of undergo

Verb

That means tolerating the discomfort of not getting an immediate response, and directing all that nervous energy somewhere else.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
The company says one potential application is a temperature logger used during the sterilization of retort food, where equipment needs to tolerate high temperatures while limiting moisture ingress.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of tolerate

Verb

Following the closure of Farfetch, LVMH purchased a 60% majority stake in the brand in July 2021, while the remaining 40% remained the property of Abloh, who had become LV men’s creative director in 2018.

— Luke Leitch, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
The few remaining workers maintaining the plant, however, received those benefits upon ratification.

— Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of remain

Verb

The incident took place near West 41st Street and Seventh Avenue, where Cisneros allegedly approached a 68-year-old man who had just left the subway and was standing with his wife.

— Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026
Two healthy scratches may come from this group — Alexander and Jamison-Travis would be candidates as the roster stands now.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of stand

Verb

Porter has staked his claim as the starter opposite Stokes, though rookies McCoy and Masses should continue to challenge him for that role throughout the season.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Momentum continued into the first half of 2026, with a double-digit rise in sales, the company said.

— Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of continue

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endurances

endure

endured

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“Endure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/endure. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of endure

verb

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