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Definitions

tough it out

VERB
hang tough
Synonyms
WEAK
be patient with bear bear the brunt brave cope with face go through grin and bear it gut it out hang in hang in there keep up live out live through meet with never say die put up with ride out sit through stand stick in there stick it out stomach suffer swallow take take it weather withstand
VERB
persist
Synonyms
STRONGEST
carry on carry over continue endure go on linger persevere prevail pursue recur remain
STRONG
abide grind insist last obtain perseverate repeat strive
WEAK
be resolute be stubborn follow through follow up go all the way go the limit hold on keep up leave no stone unturned perdure see through stick it out stick to guns
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cease discontinue give up go halt leave stop
STRONG
forget
WEAK
quit
VERB
survive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bear endure exist get through handle keep last live recover remain ride out subsist suffer sustain weather withstand
STRONG
outlast outlive outwear persevere persist revive
WEAK
be extant be left carry on carry through come through cut it get on go all the way go the limit hold out keep afloat live down live on live out live through make a comeback make the cut pull out of it pull through remain alive see through stand up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
depart die discontinue neglect refuse reject
STRONG
give up leave quit stop
WEAK
cease

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the event he gave sweeping, unsubstantiated advice on autism, such as insisting that pregnant women should "tough it out" and avoid Tylenol over an unproven link to autism -- statements slammed by scientists.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

But he feels pressured to tough it out there for now, even though he’s unhappy, so that he can keep paying down his six figures’ worth of student debt.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 10, 2026

Doctors said they worried most about Trump's advice to pregnant women to "tough it out" rather than take Tylenol when in pain or ill.

From BBC • Sep. 24, 2025

“I tried to tough it out, icing myself down,” Johnson said.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2022

I figure I can tough it out through the rest of the hours for Dad.

From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein