1
Core action
Continue to exist or remain strong despite time or difficulty; also, suffer something painful patiently.
Example
The bridge has endured for six centuries.
endure
/ɪnˈdjʊər/ · en-DYOORverb
Continue to exist or remain strong despite time or difficulty; also, suffer something painful patiently.
Use endure to express this relationship precisely: continue to exist or remain strong despite time or difficulty; also, suffer something painful patiently.
What endure Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
Residents endured months of water shortages.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Trust can endure disagreement when both sides act honestly.
Use endure Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The bridge has endured for six centuries.
Residents endured months of water shortages.
Trust can endure disagreement when both sides act honestly.
Precision Matters
Endure overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
endure
vs.Means continue to exist or remain strong despite time or difficulty; also, suffer something painful patiently.
waver
Means become uncertain or indecisive, moving back and forth between choices, beliefs, or courses of action.
endure
vs.Means continue to exist or remain strong despite time or difficulty; also, suffer something painful patiently.
suppress
Means prevent, restrain, stop, or keep something from being expressed, revealed, or developing.
endure
vs.Means continue to exist or remain strong despite time or difficulty; also, suffer something painful patiently.
thrive
Means grow, develop, or succeed vigorously, especially under favourable conditions.
endure
vs.Means continue to exist or remain strong despite time or difficulty; also, suffer something painful patiently.
persistent
Means continuing firmly or repeatedly over a long period despite difficulty, opposition, or attempts to stop it.
Test endure in Context
It remains in existence despite hardship and time.
1
Although repeatedly damaged by storms, the stone tower continued to ___ for hundreds of years.