suffer

verb

suf·fer | \ˈsə-fər

suffered; suffering\ˈsə-f(ə-)riŋ

Definition of suffer

transitive verb

1a : 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— William Shakespeare

intransitive verb

1 : to endure death, pain, or distress

2 : to sustain loss or damage

3 : to be subject to disability or handicap

Other Words from suffer Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about suffer

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Other Words from suffer

sufferable \ˈsə-f(ə-)rə-bəl

\ adjective

sufferableness noun

sufferably \ˈsə-f(ə-)rə-blē

\ adverb

sufferer \ˈsə-fər-ər

\ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for suffer

bear, suffer, endure, abide, tolerate, stand mean to put up with something trying or painful. bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking. forced to bear a tragic loss suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing. suffering many insults endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties. endured years of rejection abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest. cannot abide their rudeness tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful. refused to tolerate such treatment stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching. unable to stand teasing

Examples of suffer in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Investigators also discovered that Vera had recently been suffering from depression. — Amy Lieu, Fox News, "California mom drowns two children, hangs self, police say," 13 July 2018 His mother has suffered from lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, for the past 13 years, and has Sjogren’s syndrome and arthritis, both chronic diseases. — Austin Horn, San Antonio Express-News, "With ACA under attack, a family racked by illness wonders what will happen to their health coverage," 13 July 2018 Jalen was worried before the surgery and suffered from anxiety. — Caitlin O'kane, CBS News, "Police officers and K9s join boy with tumor to pray before his brain surgery," 13 July 2018 Some studies show that halotherapy, or salt therapy, eases symptoms for those suffering from a variety of health issues such as allergies, asthma and skin disorders. — Zahria Rogers, The Courier-Journal, "Concierge IV hydration therapy service seeks to rehydrate Louisville," 12 July 2018 Every week, dermatologist Sandra Lee, MD, (aka Dr. Pimple Popper) meets with different men and women suffering from rare, often confidence-crushing skin conditions. — refinery29.com, "The First Episode Of Dr. Pimple Popper Is A Popaholic's Dream Come True," 12 July 2018 Police found 25-year-old Sean Hamilton suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. — Holly V. Hays, Indianapolis Star, "Police: Man shot overnight on north side dies at hospital," 11 July 2018 These small-batch brands were hatched by new moms and women suffering from chronic skin conditions western medicine couldn’t crack, as well as by chemists and scientists, herbalists and locavores, with roots from Spain to Africa to Portland. — Emily Barth Isler, Allure, "10 Green Beauty Brands Every Fan of Organic Products Needs to Know," 11 July 2018 The organization also believes the testing is too limited in scope, too short in duration and suffers from flawed methology. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Long Awaited A-10 vs.-F-35 Flyoff Is Off to a Sketchy Start," 11 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suffer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near suffer

Phrases Related to suffer

suffer fools gladly

suffer in silence

suffer the consequences

Statistics for suffer

Last Updated

12 Oct 2018

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for suffer

The first known use of suffer was in the 13th century

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More Definitions for suffer

suffer

verb

English Language Learners Definition of suffer

: to experience pain, illness, or injury

: to experience something unpleasant (such as defeat, loss, or damage)

: to become worse because of being badly affected by something

See the full definition for suffer in the English Language Learners Dictionary

suffer

verb

suf·fer | \ˈsə-fər

suffered; suffering

Kids Definition of suffer

1 : to feel or endure pain, illness, or injury She suffers from arthritis.

2 : to experience something unpleasant Wilbur was merely suffering the doubts and fears that often go with finding a new friend.— E. B. White, Charlotte's Web

3 : to bear loss or damage Business suffered during the storm.

4 : to become worse His grades are suffering.

5 : permit entry 1 sense 1 “I have done what man could. Suffer me to go.”— Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee