abide, abide by

In its modern sense, the verb abide means to tolerate or to put up with something or someone. It is usually used in the negative.

• Although she could not abide vanity in others, she found herself to be quite fascinating.
• The fifteen-year-old would not abide her younger brother’s presence at her party.

The phrasal verb abide by means to comply with (a rule) or to carry out (a promise).

• There seem to be two sets of rules whereby ordinary people have to abide by their contracts, but pro athletes do not.
• She always abides by her words: when she says she’ll get the job done, she gets the job done.