suffer

suf·fer

verb \ˈsə-fər\

suf·feredsuf·fer·ing \-f(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of SUFFER

transitive verb

1

a : to submit to or be forced to endure <suffer martyrdom>

b : to feel keenly : labor under <suffer thirst>

2

: undergo, experience

3

: to put up with especially as inevitable or unavoidable

4

: to allow especially by reason of indifference <the eagle suffers little birds to sing — Shakespeare>

intransitive verb

1

: to endure death, pain, or distress

2

: to sustain loss or damage

3

: to be subject to disability or handicap

— suf·fer·able \ˈsə-f(ə-)rə-bəl\ adjective

— suf·fer·able·ness noun

— suf·fer·ably \-blē\ adverb

— suf·fer·er \ˈsə-fər-ər\ noun

Examples of SUFFER

1. He died instantly and did not suffer.
2. He suffered a heart attack and died instantly.
3. She suffered an injury during the game.
4. We suffered a great deal during the war.
5. I hate to see a child suffer.
6. She suffered through another one of their long visits.
7. The team suffered a defeat in the play-offs.
8. Their relationship suffered because of her work.

Origin of SUFFER

Middle English suffren, from Anglo-French suffrir, from Vulgar Latin *sufferire, from Latin sufferre, from sub- up + ferre to bear — more at sub-, bear

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to SUFFER

Synonyms

endure, feel, have, know, pass, see, experience, sustain, taste, undergo, witness

Antonyms

ban, enjoin, forbid, prohibit, proscribe, veto

Related Words

encounter, meet; accept, receive; assimilate, digest

Near Antonyms

beam, cheer, crow, delight, exult, glory, joy, laugh, ravish, rejoice, triumph; assure, cheer, comfort, commiserate, console, reassure, solace, soothe, sympathize

See Synonym Discussion at bear

Rhymes with SUFFER

bluffer, buffer, duffer, puffer, rougher, snuffer, stuffer