Thesaurus

suffer

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms 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 of suffer

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

Words Related to suffer

encounter, meet

accept, receive

assimilate, digest

Phrases Synonymous with suffer

2 to feel deep sadness or mental pain

the husband suffered deeply at the mere suggestion that he had been unfaithful

Synonyms of suffer

agonize, anguish, bleed, grieve, hurt, mourn, sorrow

Words Related to suffer

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

Phrases Synonymous with suffer

eat one's heart out, tear one's hair

Near Antonyms of suffer

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 of suffer

allow, green-light, have, permit

Words Related to suffer

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

Phrases Synonymous with suffer

Near Antonyms of suffer

hinder, impede, obstruct

censure, deny, disallow, disapprove, interdict, refuse, reject, revoke, suppress, withhold

deplore, discountenance, disfavor, dislike, frown (at or on), grudge

check, curb, keep, repress, restrain

Antonyms of suffer

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 of suffer

allow, let, permit, tolerate

Words Related to suffer

brush (aside or off), condone, disregard, ignore, overlook, shrug off, wink (at)

excuse, forgive, pardon

brook, cater (to), give in (to), humor, indulge

Phrases Synonymous with suffer

Near Antonyms of suffer

forbid, prohibit

curb, deter, discourage, frustrate, hold back, impede, inhibit, interfere (with)

Antonyms of suffer

bar, block, constrain, prevent

Synonym Discussion of 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

Learn More about suffer

See words that rhyme with suffer Dictionary: Definition of suffer Spanish Central: Translation of suffer Nglish: Translation of suffer for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of suffer for Arabic speakers

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