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Meaning & use

higher tolerance

phrase·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˌhaɪə ˈtɒlərəns/
US/ˌhaɪər ˈtɑːlərəns/

Meanings

  1. phrasefixed phrase

    the ability to accept or endure more of something difficult, unpleasant, or harmful than other people can.

    Grammar: Usually followed by 'for' or 'to' plus a noun: a higher tolerance for pain, a higher tolerance to stress.

    Patterns

    • have a higher tolerance for something
    • show a higher tolerance to something
    • a higher tolerance than someone

    People who grow up in noisy cities often have a higher tolerance for sound.

    She seems to have a higher tolerance for stress than most of her colleagues.

    His higher tolerance to cold weather comes from years of outdoor work.

  2. phrasefixed phrasemedical

    the need to take more of a drug or substance to get the same effect as before.

    Grammar: Used mainly in medical and health writing, often with 'develop' or 'build up'.

    Patterns

    • develop a higher tolerance to something
    • build up a higher tolerance for something

    Patients who take the medicine daily may develop a higher tolerance to it.

    A higher tolerance for caffeine means you need more coffee to feel awake.

Common combinations

have a higher tolerance
Some people simply have a higher tolerance for criticism.
develop a higher tolerance
The body can develop a higher tolerance to certain drugs.
a higher tolerance for pain
Athletes often train to build a higher tolerance for pain.
a higher tolerance to stress
Meditation may give you a higher tolerance to stress.

Synonyms and how they differ

greater endurance
Focuses on lasting through something physically tiring, not on accepting ideas or substances.
more patience
Used for people and behavior; it does not fit medical or scientific contexts.

Opposites

lower toleranceless tolerance

Word family

tolerant adjective
willing to accept differences or difficult conditions
tolerate verb
to allow or endure something without complaining

Commonly confused: higher tolerance or higher tolerance?

higher tolerance vs higher tolerance

Not a single dictionary headword; it is a phrase built from 'high' + 'tolerance'. Learners sometimes look for one word, but English expresses this idea with the phrase.

Practice

After months of training, the runners showed a higher tolerance ___ heat.

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