1
as in permission
the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something
was pointedly reminded that he was at the private beach on sufferance and could be kicked out at any time
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in patience
the capacity to endure what is difficult or disagreeable without complaining
spending a whole day with my airheaded sister-in-law is beyond sufferance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sufferance
Every page is alive with animus, ardor, humor, sufferance, with venom for death and its posturing acolytes:
Anyone who has not killed is not a man: This sentence, which Hemingway fashioned, means nothing at all.
—
Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Matchday was a sufferance, the opposite of life-affirming.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 10 July 2024
Through his cult of personality, Modi is fulfilling a century-old project, recasting India as a Hindu nation, in which minorities, particularly Muslims, live at the sufferance of the majority.
—Samanth Subramanian Vikas Adam Tanya Pérez Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The Kirk Douglas, the smallest of the company’s three venues and ostensibly the most experimental, is the scrappy Culver City orphan, living at the sufferance of its older siblings at L.A.’s Music Center.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2023
Air India’s nationalization signaled that in independent India private enterprise would survive on the government’s sufferance.
—Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 14 Oct. 2021
In the music of Beethoven, there is such an ethical, moral integrity … and power and sufferance.
—Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, 10 Sep. 2019
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.
—Thomas Jefferson Et Al, Cincinnati.com, 4 July 2018
Dan Piepenbring, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024
Matchday was a sufferance, the opposite of life-affirming.
—George Caulkin, The Athletic, 10 July 2024
Through his cult of personality, Modi is fulfilling a century-old project, recasting India as a Hindu nation, in which minorities, particularly Muslims, live at the sufferance of the majority.
—Samanth Subramanian Vikas Adam Tanya Pérez Zachary Mouton, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024
The Kirk Douglas, the smallest of the company’s three venues and ostensibly the most experimental, is the scrappy Culver City orphan, living at the sufferance of its older siblings at L.A.’s Music Center.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2023
Air India’s nationalization signaled that in independent India private enterprise would survive on the government’s sufferance.
—Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 14 Oct. 2021
In the music of Beethoven, there is such an ethical, moral integrity … and power and sufferance.
—Howard Reich, chicagotribune.com, 10 Sep. 2019
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.
—Thomas Jefferson Et Al, Cincinnati.com, 4 July 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sufferance
Noun
-
Entering someone’s boat without permission qualifies as burglary under Florida law when accompanied by threats or aggression.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2025
-
They can be given away by their owner or by bishops, while significant relics, such as hearts and organs, cannot be given away without permission from the Vatican.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Just love, patience, and someone who sees the beauty in older cats with soft hearts and gentle spirits.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Love thrives on closeness and space to grow, as well as passion and patience.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Hours later, the Senate passed the RFK bill by unanimous consent.—
Meagan Flynn,
Baltimore Sun,
29 Mar. 2025
-
The all-Republican commission approved the change unanimously on March 17 as part of the consent agenda with no discussion.—
Nora O’Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Ensure their philosophy aligns with your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.—
True Tamplin,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Dear Abby: My husband dedicated his book to a stranger and didn’t even mention me GENTLE READER: Rather than testing everyone’s kindness and tolerance too much — including your own tolerance for your neighbors — Miss Manners would like to focus on a different virtue: responsibility.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
With recipient authorizations, FedEx couriers can deliver the parcel to customers’ doorsteps and take a real-time photo showing its exact position, according to the company.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Prior authorization has become a pain point for patients and doctors.—
Lauren Sausser | KFF Health News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sufferance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sufferance. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
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