suffer

verb

suf·​fer ˈsə-fər 

suffered; suffering ˈsə-f(ə-)riŋ 

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

—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

sufferable

ˈsə-f(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

sufferableness noun

sufferably

ˈsə-f(ə-)rə-blē 

adverb

sufferer

ˈsə-fər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

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

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

But now researchers, including Dale Sandler at the National Institutes of Health, are finding that spill workers exposed to amounts of oil assumed safe have suffered from dizziness, nausea, lung problems and heart attacks. —Travis Loller, Fortune Europe, 19 Apr. 2024

Starring Zac Efron, Sean Durkin’s latest feature is based on the Von Erich wrestling dynasty, who suffered a series of tragic deaths in the family. —Jaden Thompson, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024

Responding officers arrived at the scene, in the 3700 block of Boulevard Place near 38th Street, and found Damon Anderson suffering at least eight gunshot wounds. —Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 18 Apr. 2024

Those who couldn’t identify shortcuts or find landmarks may suffer from an inability to create accurate mental maps, the researchers think. —Bob Holmes, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2024

One client, a skilled worker who suffered a debilitating fall from heights, received a multi-million dollar settlement thanks to GGL's tireless efforts. —Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024

But with more than 33,000 Palestinians killed in Israel’s military offensive in Gaza, according to local health officials, and many more left homeless and suffering from extreme hunger, some argue that U.N. recognition of a Palestinian state is long overdue. —Michael Levenson, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024

The Pelicans received unfortunate news Wednesday when an MRI revealed that 6-foot-6, 284-pound forward Zion Williamson suffered a left hamstring strain in Tuesday’s 110-106 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the play-in tournament. —Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 18 Apr. 2024

Jennifer Crumbley is not the woman the prosecution has portrayed her to be, Smith argues, and has suffered enough already: She has been locked up for 23 hours a day for more than two years, with no contact with her son or husband. —Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 7 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sufferen, suffren, borrowed from Anglo-French suffrir, going back to Vulgar Latin *sufferīre, re-formation of Latin sufferre "to submit to, endure," from suf-, assimilated form of sub- sub- + ferre "to carry, bear" — more at bear entry 2

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing suffer

• suffer fools gladly
• suffer in silence
• suffer the consequences

Kids Definition

suffer

verb

suf·​fer ˈsəf-ər 

suffered; suffering -(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to feel or endure pain

2

: to experience something unpleasant

suffer a defeat

3

: to bear loss or damage

the business suffered during the storm

4

: permit entry 1 sense 1, allow

sufferable

ˈsəf-(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

sufferableness noun

sufferably

-blē 

adverb

sufferer

ˈsəf-ər-ər 

noun