Phrase guide

on sufferance

prep_phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Unwillingly agreed to or barely tolerated.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I wasn't whole-hearted about the decision but couldn't think of a better one, so went along with it on sufferance for the time being.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Irish: le caolchuid — unwillingly agreed to
  • Russian: скрепя́ се́рдце (skrepjá sérdce) — unwillingly agreed to