Endure, Tolerate, Bear, Stand, Put Up With: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the Differences
All these words mean "to endure or withstand something unpleasant," but they have different nuances and usage patterns. Let's break them down in detail.
Comparison Table
| Word | Meaning | Formality | Common Usage | Spoken English Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endure | To suffer something painful or difficult for a long time | Formal | Long-term hardship, physical or emotional pain | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Tolerate | To allow or accept something unpleasant without strong reaction | Neutral | Diversity, different opinions, annoying behaviors | ★★★☆☆ |
| Bear | To carry or endure something emotionally or physically | Neutral | Responsibility, burden, emotional distress | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stand | To tolerate something, often with difficulty | Informal | Annoying people, situations | ★★★★☆ |
| Put up with | To accept something unpleasant because you have no choice | Very Informal | Annoying habits, uncomfortable situations | ★★★★★ |
Common Usage and Examples
1. Endure (Formal & Often Used in Hardships)
Used when someone suffers a difficult situation for a long time.
🔹 Often used in literature, speeches, or serious contexts.
✅ Examples:
- She endured the pain of losing her loved one for years.
- The soldiers had to endure extreme cold during the battle.
- I don’t know how he endures such a stressful job every day.
2. Tolerate (Neutral, Accepting Something Unpleasant)
Used when someone allows or accepts something without reacting too strongly.
🔹 Often used in discussions about people’s behaviors, social issues, or allergies.
✅ Examples:
- I can tolerate some noise, but this construction is too much.
- She tolerates different opinions but hates rudeness.
- Some people cannot tolerate spicy food at all.
3. Bear (Neutral, Emotional or Physical Burden)
Used when carrying or enduring something emotionally or physically.
🔹 Often used when expressing deep emotional stress.
✅ Examples:
- I can’t bear the thought of losing my home.
- She had to bear the responsibility of raising three children alone.
- He could barely bear the weight of the heavy backpack.
4. Stand (Informal, Often Used for Annoyances)
Used when someone dislikes something but still tolerates it.
🔹 Often used in casual speech to talk about irritating things.
✅ Examples:
- I can’t stand his arrogance anymore!
- She can’t stand being stuck in traffic.
- Can you stand the smell of durian?
5. Put up with (Very Informal, Used When There’s No Choice)
Used when someone has no option but to endure something.
🔹 Frequently used in spoken English.
✅ Examples:
- I have to put up with my noisy neighbors every night.
- She puts up with her boss’s bad attitude because she needs the job.
- How do you put up with his constant complaining?
Which One is Used Most in Spoken English?
In casual conversations, put up with and stand are the most commonly used, while endure is more formal and rarely used in everyday speech.
