ABIDE Synonyms: 165 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of abide are bear , endure , stand , suffer , and tolerate . While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest. // cannot abide their rudeness

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

The words bear and abide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking. // forced to bear a tragic loss

Q: When could 'endure' be used to replace 'abide'?

While in some cases nearly identical to abide , endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties. // endured years of rejection

Q: In what contexts can 'stand' take the place of 'abide'?

The meanings of stand and abide largely overlap; however, stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching. // unable to stand teasing

Q: When might 'suffer' be a better fit than 'abide'?

The synonyms suffer and abide are sometimes interchangeable, but suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing. // suffering many insults

Q: When can 'tolerate' be used instead of 'abide'?

The words tolerate and abide 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

abide

verb

ə-ˈbīd

Definition of abide next

as in to remain

to continue to be in a place for a significant amount of time refused to abide where it was clear that he wasn't wanted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to live

to have a home the charming fantasy that fairies abide in the cup-shaped flowers dotting the woodland floor

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to tolerate

to put up with (something painful or difficult) cannot abide being in huge crowds

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to continue

to remain indefinitely in existence or in the same state the village's once-honored ways no longer abide and now exist only in the memories of a few elders

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb abide differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of abide are bear, endure, stand, suffer, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When is bear a more appropriate choice than abide?

The words bear and abide are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

When could endure be used to replace abide?

While in some cases nearly identical to abide, endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

In what contexts can stand take the place of abide?

The meanings of stand and abide largely overlap; however, stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When might suffer be a better fit than abide?

The synonyms suffer and abide are sometimes interchangeable, but suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When can tolerate be used instead of abide?

The words tolerate and abide 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 abide An Israeli official told CNN Saturday that Israel asked the Trump administration to push on Hamas to abide by the terms of the deal and free Yehud. —

Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025 Trump’s relationship with the Western military alliance was acrimonious during his first presidency, with the Republican leader frequently lambasting NATO member states for not abiding by a 2014 target to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense every year. —

Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025 At her daily press briefing on Tuesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum largely shrugged off Google’s move, noting that Trump’s order only applies to the US continental shelf, suggesting that her country would not abide by it. —

Michael Rios, CNN, 28 Jan. 2025 Winger, the American Immigration Council legal deputy director, said state and local law enforcement officials would still need to abide by the federal immigration laws approved by Congress. —

Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for abide

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abide

Verb

And there are, of course, a whole bunch of noneconomic reasons people don't move, including wanting to remain close to family and friends.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 11 Feb. 2025
This is a decrease from the peak of 94.5 million in April 2023, but remains higher than the pre-pandemic level of 71.4 million in February 2020.

— Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025