endure

verb

en·​dure in-ˈdu̇r How to pronounce endure (audio)
-ˈdyu̇r,
en-
endured; enduring
Synonyms of endurenext

intransitive verb

1
: to continue in the same state : last entry 1
the style endured for centuries
2
: to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding
though it is difficult, we must endure

transitive verb

1
: to undergo especially without giving in : suffer
endure hardships
endured great pain
2
: to regard with acceptance or tolerance
could not endure noisy children

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for endure

bear, suffer, endure, abide, tolerate, stand mean to put up with something trying or painful.

bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

continue, last, endure, abide, persist mean to exist over a period of time or indefinitely.

continue applies to a process going on without ending.

the search for peace will continue

last, especially when unqualified, may stress existing beyond what is normal or expected.

buy shoes that will last

endure adds an implication of resisting destructive forces or agencies.

in spite of everything, her faith endured

abide implies stable and constant existing especially as opposed to mutability.

a love that abides through 40 years of marriage

persist suggests outlasting the normal or appointed time and often connotes obstinacy or doggedness.

the sense of guilt persisted

Examples of endure in a Sentence

She wants to make sure her legacy will endure. He endured five years as a prisoner of war. We endured the lecture for as long as we could.
Recent Examples on the Web Since the series came out, conversations around workplace safety in children’s television have intensified, especially as many on social media have discussed the revelations of what the stars of their nostalgic childhood TV favorites endured when the cameras weren’t rolling. —Moises Mendez Ii, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024 Most endured harrowing ordeals only to see their trips stall a few hundred yards short of a border teeming with thousands of others who have made the same precarious journey. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for endure 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'endure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French endurer, from Vulgar Latin *indurare, from Latin, to harden, from in- + durare to harden, endure — more at during

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of endure was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near endure

endurant

endure

endurer

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Endure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endure. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

endure

verb
en·​dure in-ˈd(y)u̇(ə)r How to pronounce endure (audio)
endured; enduring
1
: to continue in the same state : last
2
: to bear patiently : suffer
3
: to allow to happen or continue : tolerate
endurable
-ˈd(y)u̇r-ə-bəl
adjective
enduring
in-ˈd(y)u̇r-iŋ
adjective
enduringly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on endure

Nglish: Translation of endure for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of endure for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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