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.

some people live in 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

Over and over, Victor argues for the emotional experience of suffering, that recovering from terrible trauma is genuinely complicated. —Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 27 June 2025

During times of suffering, we were obsessed with what wasn’t being said as much as what was actually said. —Matthew Clark Davison, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025

The elder Xi endured extraordinary suffering for the sake of the cause, at the hands of both Nationalist foes and the Communists themselves. —Joseph Torigian, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025

Under British Columbia's no-fault system, Kristen said, pain and suffering are not compensated. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing suffering

• long-suffering

Rhymes for suffering

• buffering

Kids Definition

suffering

noun

suf·​fer·​ing

1

: the state or experience of one that suffers

2

: a pain or injury endured