What does tolerated mean?
Tolerated is the past tense and past participle of tolerate, and it can function either as a verb or as an adjective. In its adjectival use, it describes something allowed to exist, occur, or be heard without being prohibited or strongly opposed. This meaning can carry a mildly critical connotation: a practice may be described as tolerated precisely because people endure or quietly accept it rather than approve of it. In its verbal use, tolerated describes enduring something difficult or unpleasant without protest. The word therefore connects permission with endurance, showing that acceptance and active liking are not always the same thing. A person may tolerate a noisy neighbor, a community may tolerate a controversial custom, or a traveler may tolerate repeated delays. The word is common in formal and neutral English, while its implication of reluctant acceptance can make it useful in discussion of social customs, behavior, discomfort, and difficult circumstances.
Allowed to exist, act, or be heard without prohibition or serious objection.
"The new arrangement was tolerated, though several residents continued to object."
Often implies acceptance that is less enthusiastic than genuine approval.
Endured or accepted without protest or resistance.
"The passengers tolerated the delay without complaint."
This is the past tense and past participle of tolerate.
Tolerated is the quiet hinge between permission and endurance: it can mean “allowed” or simply “borne.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tolerated come from?
The word is based on English tolerate, which was borrowed from Latin tolerare, meaning “to bear” or “endure.” The Latin verb is the source of related English forms including tolerance, tolerant, and intolerable. The past tense and past participle tolerated developed in English by adding the regular inflection -ed to tolerate.
Related word forms
How tolerated is actually used
As an adjective, tolerated often suggests that something is accepted despite discomfort, inconvenience, or disapproval. As a verb form, it normally appears with have, has, or had, or after the particle to.