Cool MateThey won't accept failure vs Tolerate
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
They won't accept failure
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Tolerate
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Tolerate
| They won't accept failure | Tolerate | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðeɪ wəʊnt əˈsɛpt ˈfeɪl.jʊər//🇺🇸 //ðeɪ woʊnt əˈsɛpt ˈfeɪljər// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈtɒləreɪt/","/ˈtɒləreɪts/","/ˈtɒləreɪtɪd/","/ˈtɒləreɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtɑːləreɪt/","/ˈtɑːləreɪts/","/ˈtɑːləreɪtɪd/","/ˈtɑːləreɪtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | They will not agree with or allow failure. | To accept something unpleasant without complaining. |
| Example | They won't accept failure as an option in this project. | I can tolerate cold weather, but I prefer warmer climates. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | accept responsibility, accept defeat, accept challenges, accept failure, accept consequences | barely, just, merely, be unable to, cannot, not be prepared to, barely, just, merely, be unable to, cannot, not be prepared to, readily, well, poorly, be unable to, cannot, will not |
| Antonyms | - | reject, insist, oppose |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'accept' with 'except' (accept means to agree, except means to exclude)., Using 'accept' with a gerund instead of a noun (e.g. 'accepting failure')., Omitting 'will not' in contractions like 'won't' which may sound too informal in formal contexts. | Confused with 'endorse' — tolerate means to accept, not to support., Using intransitively (e.g., 'I tolerate' without an object)., Mixing up with 'put up with' — tolerate is more formal. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts where rejection of failure is discussed, often in professional or motivational settings. Less appropriate in casual conversations. | Used in everyday conversation and writing. It's appropriate in neutral and formal contexts, but can sound weak in informal contexts where stronger emotions are expected. |
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Frequently asked questions: They won't accept failure vs Tolerate
What's the difference between They won't accept failure and Tolerate?
They won't accept failure: They will not agree with or allow failure. Tolerate: To accept something unpleasant without complaining.
Which is more common: They won't accept failure and Tolerate?
Tolerate is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
They won't accept failure: They won't accept failure as an option in this project. Tolerate: I can tolerate cold weather, but I prefer warmer climates.
Can I use They won't accept failure and Tolerate interchangeably?
Not always. They won't accept failure and Tolerate are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.