paradox of tolerance

noun

The idea that, if a society extends tolerance to those who are intolerant, it risks enabling the eventual dominance of intolerance, thereby undermining the very principle of tolerance.

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Meanings

nounparadox of tolerance (plural paradoxes of tolerance)

plural paradoxes of tolerance

  1. human sciencesThe idea that, if a society extends tolerance to those who are intolerant, it risks enabling the eventual dominance of intolerance, thereby undermining the very principle of tolerance.
Cite this entry
APA

paradox of tolerance. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/paradox%20of%20tolerance

MLA

“paradox of tolerance.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/paradox%20of%20tolerance. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “paradox of tolerance,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/paradox%20of%20tolerance.

Source: paradox of tolerance on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.