Endure
Word of the Day
What is Endure?
verb
To suffer something painful or difficult patiently; to last or remain in existence.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to honor the resilience of people and places that continue to endure disasters, war, and injustice.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
They endured the storm without shelter.
The city has endured years of conflict.
She endured criticism with grace.
Word Origins
From Latin indurare, meaning “to harden”.
Used across religious texts, philosophy, and literature to depict the act of surviving hardship.
First appearance in English: 14th century
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
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Verb:
She endured great suffering.
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Noun:
Their endurance impressed the rescue team.
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Adjective:
It was an enduring symbol of hope.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: soportar / aguantar
- French: endurer
- German: ertragen / aushalten
- Italian: sopportare
- Portuguese: suportar
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Persevere
Focuses on continuing effort despite difficulty; “endure” emphasizes pain or suffering.
Sustain
To keep going — often physical or energy-based.
Resist
Implies opposition — “endure” implies survival.
Abide
Old-fashioned synonym with more passive tone.
Fun Facts
- “Endure” appears over 40 times in Shakespeare’s plays, often during scenes of trial or exile.
- In Stoic philosophy, “endurance” is considered a cardinal virtue.
Cultural Usage
- In “Night” by Elie Wiesel, the author endures unimaginable suffering during the Holocaust.
- Communities across the Midwest continue to endure extreme weather conditions.
Common Mistakes
Often confused with “resist” or “withstand” — but “endure” implies long-term suffering, not just resistance.
Micro Story
She had endured too much loss to cry anymore — now she simply endured.