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endure

en-DYOOR /ɪnˈdjʊər/

verbB2TOEFLIELTSSAT

generalliterary

To suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently; to remain in existence; to last.

It has two main meanings: to tolerate hardship and to simply continue existing. Often, the two are linked—something lasts because it can tolerate hardship.

The story behind the word. To endure is literally 'to harden oneself.' In Latin, 'indurare' was used to describe the process of making something physically hard, like metal. Over time, it became a metaphor for the mental toughness required to survive life's difficulties.

Word relationships

tolerate: Tolerate is more passive; endure often implies a greater degree of strength or a longer period of time.
persist: Persist focuses on the action continuing, while endure focuses on the state of surviving.

perish: Perish means to die or be destroyed completely.
succumb: Succumb means to give in to a superior force or to die from a hardship.

Commonly confused with

abide: Abide is more old-fashioned and often means to 'stay' or 'live,' whereas endure specifically implies surviving difficulty.

Word family

endurance (noun): The ability to withstand hardship or adversity.
enduring (adjective): Lasting over a long period.

Collocations

endure hardship
endure the test of time
endure pain
endure to the end

Example sentences

"The ancient ruins have endured for centuries, surviving earthquakes, wars, and the slow erosion of time." History
"I cannot endure to be any where or do any thing to no purpose." Literature

Memory hook

Endure sounds like 'in-dure'—to be in a durable state. Endure = Hard (durus) to break.

When not to use

Don't use it for pleasant things that last; you don't 'endure' a wonderful vacation, you 'enjoy' it.

Fun facts

The 'Endurance' was the name of the ship used by explorer Ernest Shackleton in his ill-fated but legendary 1914 Antarctic expedition.