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Intolerance vs. Tolerance — What's the Difference?

By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 3, 2024
Intolerance involves a lack of acceptance towards ideas or behaviors different from one's own, while tolerance signifies respect and acceptance regardless of differences.
Intolerance vs. Tolerance — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Intolerance and Tolerance

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Key Differences

Intolerance often manifests as an unwillingness to accept beliefs, opinions, or behaviors that differ from one's own, leading to a narrow worldview. This can result in exclusion, discrimination, and sometimes even hostility. On the other hand, tolerance is characterized by an open-minded acceptance of different perspectives and ways of life, even if one does not agree with them. This approach fosters a more inclusive and diverse society.
While intolerance can lead to social division and conflict, as individuals or groups refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of different viewpoints, tolerance promotes peace and understanding. Tolerance allows for the peaceful coexistence of diverse beliefs, cultures, and lifestyles, enhancing societal harmony.
Intolerance is often rooted in fear, ignorance, or insecurity, where individuals feel threatened by the unfamiliar or different. This can lead to prejudicial attitudes and actions. Conversely, tolerance is grounded in empathy, education, and self-confidence, enabling individuals to appreciate the value of diversity and the benefits it brings to a community.
In the realm of free speech, intolerance might advocate for limiting expression that contradicts one’s own beliefs, seeing such expression as harmful or offensive. Tolerance, however, upholds the principle of free speech, recognizing that the exchange of diverse ideas is crucial for a healthy, democratic society.
While intolerance may sometimes stem from a desire to protect one's values or community from perceived threats, it can unintentionally undermine the very principles it seeks to defend, such as respect, justice, and equality. Tolerance, by embracing differences, strengthens these values, promoting a more just and equitable world.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Lack of acceptance for differing beliefs or behaviors
Acceptance and respect for differing beliefs or behaviors

Societal Impact

Leads to division and conflict
Promotes peace and understanding

Root Cause

Often stems from fear, ignorance, or insecurity
Grounded in empathy, education, and self-confidence

Approach to Free Speech

May advocate for limiting opposing expressions
Upholds the principle of free speech

Impact on Values

Can undermine principles like respect and equality
Strengthens values like justice and equality

Compare with Definitions

Intolerance

Aversion to ideas, beliefs, or practices different from one's own.
His intolerance towards other cultures was evident in his dismissive comments.

Tolerance

Willingness to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own.
Her tolerance of other religions made her an excellent community leader.

Intolerance

Unwillingness to accept actions or beliefs likely to be different.
The new law was criticized for promoting intolerance against minority groups.

Tolerance

Recognition of and respect for the opinions or behaviors of others.
Promoting tolerance in schools can help prevent bullying.

Intolerance

Sensitivity to substances that can lead to adverse reactions.
Gluten intolerance can cause serious health issues for some individuals.

Tolerance

A permissible limit of variation in a physical dimension or property.
The machine parts were manufactured with a high degree of tolerance for better efficiency.

Intolerance

An inability to endure or support specific conditions.
The plant shows a high level of intolerance to cold temperatures.

Tolerance

Acceptance of the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.
Tolerance is vital for the functioning of any diverse society.

Intolerance

Refusal to grant equal freedom or rights to different opinions.
The community's intolerance of dissent stifled creative expression.

Tolerance

The capacity to endure continued subjection to something such as a drug or environmental conditions without adverse reaction.
Developing tolerance to a medication can reduce its effectiveness.

Intolerance

The quality or condition of being intolerant; lack of tolerance.

Tolerance

The ability or willingness to tolerate the existence of opinions or behaviour that one dislikes or disagrees with
An advocate of religious tolerance
The tolerance of corruption

Intolerance

(Medicine) Inability to digest or metabolize a food, drug, or other substance or compound
Lactose intolerance.

Tolerance

The capacity to endure continued subjection to something such as a drug or environmental conditions without adverse reaction
Various species of diatoms display different tolerances to acid
The desert camel shows the greatest tolerance to dehydration

Intolerance

(uncountable) The state of being intolerant.
Intolerance as a state policy must not be tolerated.

Tolerance

An allowable amount of variation of a specified quantity, especially in the dimensions of a machine or part
250 parts in his cars were made to tolerances of one thousandth of an inch

Intolerance

(countable) An intolerant word or action.

Tolerance

The capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others.

Intolerance

Extreme sensitivity to a food or drug; allergy.

Tolerance

Leeway for variation from a standard.

Intolerance

Lack of capacity to endure; as, intolerance of light.

Tolerance

The permissible deviation from a specified value of a structural dimension, often expressed as a percent.

Intolerance

The quality of being intolerant; refusal to allow to others the enjoyment of their opinions, chosen modes of worship, and the like; lack of patience and forbearance; illiberality; bigotry; as, intolerance shown toward a religious sect.
These few restrictions, I hope, are no great stretches of intolerance, no very violent exertions of despotism.

Tolerance

The capacity to endure hardship or pain.

Intolerance

Impatience with annoyances;
His intolerance of interruptions

Tolerance

Physiological resistance to a toxin.

Intolerance

Unwillingness to recognize and respect differences in opinions or beliefs

Tolerance

Diminution in the physiological response to a drug that occurs after continued use, necessitating larger doses to produce a given response.

Tolerance

The ability to digest or metabolize a food, drug, or other substance or compound
Glucose tolerance.

Tolerance

Acceptance of a tissue graft or transplant without immunological rejection.

Tolerance

Unresponsiveness to an antigen that normally produces an immunologic reaction.

Tolerance

The ability of an organism to resist or survive infection by a parasitic or pathogenic organism.

Tolerance

The ability to endure pain or hardship; endurance.

Tolerance

(uncountable) The ability or practice of tolerating; an acceptance of or patience with the beliefs, opinions or practices of others; a lack of bigotry.

Tolerance

(uncountable) The ability of the body (or other organism) to resist the action of a poison, to cope with a dangerous drug or to survive infection by an organism.

Tolerance

(countable) The variation or deviation from a standard, especially the maximum permitted variation in an engineering measurement.
Our customers can generally accept ten times the tolerance which we can achieve in our machining operations.

Tolerance

(uncountable) The ability of the body to accept a tissue graft without rejection.

Tolerance

The power or capacity of enduring; the act of enduring; endurance.
Diogenes, one frosty morning, came into the market place, shaking, to show his tolerance.

Tolerance

The endurance of the presence or actions of objectionable persons, or of the expression of offensive opinions; toleration.

Tolerance

The power possessed or acquired by some persons of bearing doses of medicine which in ordinary cases would prove injurious or fatal.

Tolerance

Capability of growth in more or less shade.

Tolerance

The allowed amount of variation from the standard or from exact conformity to the specified dimensions, weight, hardness, voltage etc., in various mechanical or electrical devices or operations; - caklled also allowance

Tolerance

The capacity to resist the deleterious action of a chemical agent normally harmful to the organism; as, the acquired tolerance of bacteria to anitbiotics.

Tolerance

The acquired inability to respond with an immune reaction to an antigen to which the organism normally responds; - called also immunotolerance, immunological tolerance, or immune tolerance. Such tolerance may be induced by exposing an animal to the antigen at a very early stage of life, prior to maturation of the immune system, or, in adults, by exposing the animal to repeated low doses of a weak protein antigen (low-zone tolerance), or to a large amount of an antigen (high-zone tolerance).

Tolerance

The power or capacity of an organism to tolerate unfavorable environmental conditions

Tolerance

A disposition to allow freedom of choice and behavior

Tolerance

The act of tolerating something

Tolerance

Willingness to recognize and respect the beliefs or practices of others

Tolerance

A permissible difference; allowing some freedom to move within limits

Common Curiosities

What is tolerance?

Tolerance is the acceptance and respect for different ideas, beliefs, and behaviors, regardless of whether one agrees with them.

How does tolerance benefit society?

Tolerance fosters peace, understanding, and inclusivity by allowing diverse beliefs, cultures, and lifestyles to coexist peacefully.

What is intolerance?

Intolerance is the lack of acceptance or willingness to accept ideas, beliefs, or behaviors that are different from one's own.

How does intolerance affect society?

Intolerance can lead to division, conflict, and sometimes violence, as it promotes exclusion and discrimination against those with differing views.

Can intolerance be justified?

Intolerance is sometimes justified as a defense mechanism against perceived threats, but it often leads to negative consequences like discrimination and social unrest.

Does tolerance mean agreeing with everything?

No, tolerance means respecting and accepting differences, not necessarily agreeing with all opinions or behaviors.

Can tolerance and intolerance coexist?

While individuals might exhibit both traits in different aspects of their lives, a society that values tolerance over intolerance is generally more harmonious and democratic.

How can one develop tolerance?

Tolerance can be developed through education, exposure to diversity, and practicing empathy towards others.

Can tolerance lead to change?

Tolerance can lead to positive social change by facilitating dialogue, understanding, and the peaceful exchange of ideas.

What role does education play in tolerance?

Education plays a crucial role in fostering tolerance by exposing individuals to different cultures, ideas, and perspectives, thereby reducing fear and prejudice.

How can societies promote tolerance?

Societies can promote tolerance through education, inclusive policies, and public campaigns that celebrate diversity and encourage open-mindedness.

Is tolerance always positive?

Tolerance is generally seen as positive because it promotes diversity and inclusion; however, it should not extend to tolerating harmful or dangerous behaviors.

Is intolerance always negative?

While often seen as negative due to its association with prejudice and discrimination, some argue that intolerance of harmful actions or beliefs is necessary for societal well-being.

Why is intolerance harmful?

Intolerance is harmful because it leads to social division, denies individuals their rights, and can escalate into aggression or violence.

What is the difference between tolerance and acceptance?

Tolerance refers to the willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behaviors that one does not necessarily agree with, while acceptance often involves a more positive endorsement or embrace of differences.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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