suffer

Tweet

verb

Definition of SUFFER

1

to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it <willingly suffered hardships so that their children would have a better life>

Synonyms endure, feel, have, know, pass, see, suffer, sustain, taste, undergo, witness

Related Words encounter, meet; accept, receive; assimilate, digest

2

to feel deep sadness or mental pain <the husband suffered deeply at the mere suggestion that he had been unfaithful>

Synonyms agonize, anguish, bleed, hurt, mourn, sorrow, suffer

Related Words ache, long (for), pine (away), sigh, smart; rack, torment, torture; bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament, rue; bawl, blubber, cry, groan, howl, keen, moan, sob, take on, wail, weep, yammer, yowl; languish; regret

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

3

to give permission for or to approve of <contends that the death penalty is something that no civilized society should suffer>

Synonyms green-light, have, permit, suffer

Related Words authorize, commission, license (also licence); accede (to), acquiesce, agree (to), assent (to), consent (to), OK (or okay), warrant; accord, concede, grant, sanction, vouchsafe; admit, brook, condone, countenance, endure, support, tolerate

Near Antonyms hinder, impede, obstruct; censure, disallow, disapprove, deny, interdict, refuse, reject, revoke, suppress, withhold; deplore, discountenance, disfavor, dislike, frown (at or on), grudge; check, curb, keep, repress, restrain

Antonyms ban, enjoin, forbid, prohibit, proscribe, veto

4

to fail to prevent (some behavior on someone's part) especially from neglect or indifference <I will not suffer you to insult me so!>

Synonyms let, permit, suffer, tolerate

Related Words brush (aside or off), condone, disregard, ignore, overlook, shrug off, wink (at); excuse, forgive, pardon; brook, cater (to), give in (to), humor, indulge

Near Antonyms forbid, prohibit; curb, deter, discourage, frustrate, hold back, impede, inhibit, interfere (with)

Antonyms bar, block, constrain, prevent