To bear, endure, or put up with something unpleasant — to withstand hardship or pain.
暑さに耐えて、彼は毎日畑で働いた。
Enduring the heat, he worked in the fields every day.
子どもの夜泣きに耐えるのは大変だ。
It's hard to put up with a child's night crying.
試験のプレッシャーに耐えられず、体調を崩した。
Unable to bear the pressure of exams, they fell ill.
To withstand or resist external forces or loads — to be durable or have resistance to something.
この建材は地震の揺れに耐えるように設計されている。
This building material is designed to withstand earthquake shaking.
あの服は摩耗に耐える丈夫な生地でできている。
That clothing is made of a durable fabric that resists wear.
To be fit for or worthy of something — able to meet the requirements of a role or condition (as in 'to be fit to ~').
彼はリーダーに耐える人物だと皆が認めている。
Everyone recognizes that he is someone fit to be a leader.
その小説は公開に耐える作品とは言えない。
That novel cannot be said to be worthy of publication.