tah-lur-AY-shuhn
/ˌtɑlɚˈeɪʃən/
toleration is pronounced tah-lur-AY-shuhn (/ˌtɑlɚˈeɪʃən/). Toleration refers to allowing the existence or practice of something without interfering, often emphasizing acceptance of differing beliefs or opinions. It denotes a permissive stance rather than endorsement, balancing tolerance with boundaries. In usage, it can imply a formal or principled patience rather than warm regard, and appears in legal, ethical, or social debates about freedom of belief and expression.
Toleration refers to allowing the existence or practice of something without interfering, often emphasizing acceptance of differing beliefs or opinions. It denotes a permissive stance rather than endorsement, balancing tolerance with boundaries. In usage, it can imply a formal or principled patience rather than warm regard, and appears in legal, ethical, or social debates about freedom of belief and expression.
"Her toleration of diverse viewpoints helped foster a more inclusive classroom."
"The policy supports toleration of religious practices, provided they do not threaten public safety."
"There is ample space for toleration in a pluralistic society, though lines can be debated."
Pronounce as /ˌtɒl.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ (US: /ˌtɑː.ləˈreɪ.ʃən/ with some American variation). Stress falls on the third syllable: to-LE-ra-tion, but many speakers place the primary stress on the second-to-last: -RE- may carry prominence in careful speech. Start with /t/ + /ɒ/ (or /ɑː/ in some varieties), then a schwa /ə/ in the second syllable, then /ˈreɪ/ in the third, and finish with /ʃən/. Audio resources like Pronounce or Forvo can help hear native examples.”},{
Common errors include misplacing stress (putting primary stress on the second syllable as to-LO- / to-LER-), mixing the /ɪ/ or /ə/ in the second syllable (saying tol-ER-ation with unclear schwa), and mispronouncing /ˈreɪ/ as /riː/ or /rə/. To correct: keep a clear secondary stress pattern on the second syllable with a short, unstressed /ə/ before the /ˈreɪ/; ensure the final -tion ends with a light /ən/ rather than a hard /n/ only. Listening exercises will help refine the rhythm.”},{
In US, the initial /ɒ/ may sound broader, with a softer /l/; the middle /əˈreɪ/ often reduces to /əˈreɪ/ with less emphasis on the second syllable. UK pronunciation tends to maintain /ɒ/ or /ɒl/ with careful division between syllables, and the /t/ may be more aspirated. Australian speech can show a lighter /ɒ/ and a slightly broader vowel in /eɪ/; final /ən/ remains a short, clipped sound. In all, rhoticity is not strongly influential here, but vowel quality and flapped t can affect naturalness. Compare with native audio for precise differences.”},{
Key challenges include stabilizing the three-syllable rhythm with a clear secondary stress on -RE- before the final -ation, and producing the /ˈreɪ/ diphthong accurately without delaying into the following /ʃən/. The /t/ at the start can be lightly aspirated or unreleased depending on speech rate, and the schwa in the second syllable must be balanced with a crisp /ˈreɪ/. The ending /ən/ is short and often merges with the preceding /ʃ/ in rapid speech, so practice with slower pace improves precision.
Yes. Unlike tolerate or tolerance, toleration often signals a principled allowance within a framework of rights. Pronunciation-wise, the challenge lies in preserving the schwa in the second syllable and the stressed /ˈreɪ/ vowel cluster without compressing the syllable boundary. You’ll want to avoid a heavy /əˈleɪ/ conflation and maintain the light, unstressed first syllable and the crisp final -tion. Practice listening for the slight pause before the stressed /ˈreɪ/ and replicate that cadence.”}],
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Toleration comes from the Middle French toleration or Latin toleratio, from tolerare “to bear, endure.” The root toler- is from Latin tolerare, meaning to bear, endure, or sustain. In English, toleration emerged in the late 14th century linked to the idea of bearing with or permitting something. By the 17th century, toleration was tied to political-religious language, distinguishing mere endurance from a principled permission under law or policy. The word evolved to denote a formal acceptance of diverse beliefs, practices, or customs, often within a framework that preserves order and rights. Over time, toleration gained legal weight in documents and constitutions, particularly in contexts of religious liberty and civil rights. Its usage broadened to include social attitudes toward behavior, speech, and cultural differences. In modern usage, toleration frequently contrasts with endorsement, emphasizing non-interference rather than active support. The first known uses appear in Middle English and Renaissance-era writings, with the sense maturing through political and philosophical discourse in early modern Europe, especially amid religious conflicts and evolving notions of liberty. Contemporary references often treat toleration as a pragmatic, rights-based stance rather than an emotional sentiment, acknowledging coexistence while managing boundaries.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "toleration" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "toleration"
-ion sounds
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