suffering

noun

suf·​fer·​ing ˈsə-f(ə-)riŋ 

1

: the state or experience of one that suffers

2

: pain

Choose the Right Synonym for suffering

distress, suffering, misery, agony mean the state of being in great trouble.

distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.

the hurricane put everyone in great distress

suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

the suffering of famine victims

misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.

the homeless live with misery every day

agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.

in agony over the death of their child

Examples of suffering in a Sentence

ways to alleviate human suffering

They hope these new drugs will help to bring an end to the suffering of arthritis patients.

His lawsuit seeks damages for pain and suffering.

the sufferings of the dying

Recent Examples on the Web

For decades, the win-at-all-costs approach to gymnastics—evident at various gyms across the country—which prized compliance and an ethos of suffering, ignored athlete well-being and left gymnasts feeling like disposable commodities. —Christine Yu, SELF, 17 July 2024

Géricault captured a moment of suffering and death, while Viola’s video extends a moment of suffering into a longer narrative. —Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 13 July 2024

Lawsuits filed by pedestrian accident victims typically seek damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and in cases of fatalities, wrongful death. —Sacramento Bee, 11 July 2024

Being old is no protection against suffering; the aged Priam, mourning his son Hector, is assailed by the same desolate grief as Achilles. —Rachel Hadas, The Conversation, 9 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing suffering

• long-suffering

Kids Definition

suffering

noun

suf·​fer·​ing

1

: the state or experience of one that suffers

2

: a pain or injury endured