Allow
Allow verb - To give permission for or to approve of.
Usage example: flash photography is not allowed inside the church
Tolerate is a synonym for allow in permit topic. In some cases you can use "Tolerate" instead a verb "Allow", when it comes to topics like behaviour, think, take, be tolerant. popular alternative
Tolerate
Tolerate verb - To fail to prevent (some behavior on someone's part) especially from neglect or indifference.
Usage example: my boss simply doesn't tolerate tardiness
Allow is a synonym for tolerate in behaviour topic. You can use "Allow" instead a verb "Tolerate", if it concerns topics such as think, take, be tolerant, permit. popular alternative
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- There are certain mentalities that create Jerkasses, or at least allow them to tolerate themselves.
Source: Jerk Justifications -
Media Watchdogs that allow as much violence as humanly possible, but will not tolerate foul language or sensual content.
Source: Webcomic / An Epic Comic -
They will not tolerate cannibalism, nor will they allow a psychopath to become a victor (unless they can be charming about it, as the Career Tributes tend to be somewhat
Ax-Crazy).
Source: Literature / The Hunger Games
Cite this Source
Tolerate and Allow. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/allow/tolerate
Allow & Tolerate. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/allow/tolerate>.
Tolerate or Allow. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/allow/tolerate.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "allow" and "tolerate" have occurred on timeline