endure

verb

in-DUUR/ɪnˈd(j)ʊɹ/UKin-DYUUR/ɪnˈdjʊə̯(ɹ)/

Formsendures, enduring, endured

6 meanings of endure

Practice

1
verbtransitive
To put up with something painful or unpleasant without giving up.
Like carrying a heavy bag a long way without putting it down.
Somehow she had to endure the long, boring meeting.
The soldiers endured weeks of cold and hunger.
Similartolerate, bear, stand, accept, take
2
verbintransitive
To keep going even when things are hard.
Like a small plant that keeps growing through cracks in a sidewalk.
Strong friendships endure even when people live far apart.
The old traditions endured for many generations.
Similarcontinue, persist, persevere, stay, abide
Oppositefail, collapse
Note
3
verbintransitive
To stay strong and not give up during hard or painful times.
Like a tree that stays standing through a heavy storm.
Even in pain, she chose to endure rather than complain.
The prisoners endured with quiet courage.
Similarsurvive, withstand, resist
Oppositesuccumb, yield, surrender
Note
4
verbtransitive
To go through pain or trouble in a calm, patient way.
Like sitting quietly through a long, painful wait without complaining.
Patients often endure great discomfort during recovery.
She endured the illness with remarkable patience.
Similaraccept, withstand
Oppositeresist, protest
Note
5
verbintransitive
To go on existing for a long time.
Like a mountain that stays in place across many lifetimes.
Great stories endure long after their authors are gone.
The stone bridge endured for over a thousand years.
Similarlast, remain, persist, live, prevail
Oppositefade, perish, vanish
Note

Less common meaning

6
verbobsolete
To make something hard, or to grow hard and solid.
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin indūrō, meaning 'to make hard', through Old French endurer and Middle English enduren.