endure

verb en·dure \in-ˈdu̇r, -ˈdyu̇r, en-\

: to continue to exist in the same state or condition

: to experience (pain or suffering) for a long time

: to deal with or accept (something unpleasant)

en·dureden·dur·ing

Full Definition of ENDURE

transitive verb

: to undergo (as a hardship) especially without giving in : suffer <endured great pain>

: to regard with acceptance or tolerance <could not endure noisy children>

intransitive verb

: to continue in the same state : last <the style endured for centuries>

: to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding <though it is difficult, we must endure>

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Origin of ENDURE

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

Related to ENDURE

Synonyms: experience, feel, have, know, pass, see, suffer, sustain, taste, undergo, witness

Antonyms: cease, close, conclude, desist, die, discontinue, end, expire, finish, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up

Synonym Discussion of 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>.