Sufferance Meaning in English
word
Definition
Sufferance means the act of patiently accepting or allowing something, often something unpleasant or unwanted, without protest. It can also refer to the state of enduring pain or hardship.
Usage & Nuances
"Sufferance" is formal and quite rare in conversation; more common in legal, historical, or literary contexts. It often appears in phrases like "on sufferance" (allowed but not really wanted). Don't confuse with "suffering" (the experience of pain).
Example Sentences
They lived there by sufferance, not by right.
basic
Her presence at the party was on sufferance.
basic
He accepted the job with quiet sufferance.
basic
I stayed in the group only by sufferance, since they didn’t really want me there.
natural
Their continued use of the park was by sufferance of the city council.
natural
I’m here on sufferance; I know I’m not really welcome.
natural