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as in to undergo
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it willingly suffered hardships so that their children would have a better life

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb suffer differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of suffer are abide, bear, endure, stand, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When is it sensible to use abide instead of suffer?

While in some cases nearly identical to suffer, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When can bear be used instead of suffer?

In some situations, the words bear and suffer are roughly equivalent. However, bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

Where would endure be a reasonable alternative to suffer?

The words endure and suffer can be used in similar contexts, but endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

When is stand a more appropriate choice than suffer?

The synonyms stand and suffer are sometimes interchangeable, but stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When would tolerate be a good substitute for suffer?

The words tolerate and suffer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of suffer Goedert’s absence leaves Philadelphia undermanned at tight end, although the Eagles have become used to missing Goedert — and the offense hasn’t necessarily suffered even though the team believes Goedert is one of the NFL’s top tight ends. Zach Berman, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025 Brian De Palma's lurid, almost feverish depiction of the bullying and abuse that Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) suffers at school and at home manages to feel empathetic rather than exploitative. James Grebey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025 Involving the police also breaks trust between them and people suffering from mental health struggles, Weaver said. Charlotte Observer, 12 Sep. 2025 Another course on banishing your inner critic has compelling ideas, but suffers from being overproduced. Jill Duffy, PC Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suffer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffer
Verb
  • The Princess of Wales announced her remission in January 2025, while Charles is still undergoing treatment.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Since marrying Horace at the end of Episode 1, Kimmie has conducted extensive research on Beauty in Black and has been under the mentorship of her husband, who is still alive and currently in Italy, undergoing experimental cancer treatment.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Fox News personality wrote on social media to grieve Kirk’s death.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Devon Mostert, the wife of NFL running back Raheem Mostert, grieved the assassination of conservative political influencer Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Halloween-style may not to be worn upon entry and in concourses but will be permitted when guests are in seats.
    Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Notably, military officials overseeing the Washington deployment declared early on that while Title 32 permits troops to make arrests, they are not authorized to do so in this case.
    Alex Horton, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Bonneville, sitting behind her, grabbed her hand for the last 15 minutes and didn’t let go.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Each of these commitments comes nestled in a bramble of thorny questions that societies have been debating for the last, let’s round it off at, 250 years.
    Big Think, Big Think, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • United recently endured its worst ever finish to a Premier League season and already in this campaign, Ruben Amorim’s men have suffered a humiliating League Cup defeat to fourth-division Grimsby Town despite the acquisition of expensive new forwards Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Šeško.
    Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025
  • What lies beneath the surface is hardly a starting point for grasping the breadth and enduring impact of each work.
    Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Friends and coworkers continue to mourn her loss, remembering her optimism and generosity.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Donatella Versace, Milan’s mayor Giuseppe Sala and film directors Gabriele Salvatores and Giuseppe Tornatore were also among the crowds of people mourning.
    Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Somehow, the Hollywood star was still welcomed into the cockpit by the starstruck flight crew and allowed to briefly take control of the airliner.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The latest commitment will allow Startup Junkie to continue the program for three years and expand the team's capacity to serve clients and prospective borrowers with more resources, hands-on support and events.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Technological development, subjected to the logic of progress, presented itself as a force of chaos that would not tolerate any stable order.
    Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Despite the tree’s association with ponds, bald cypress tolerates a range of growing conditions, from somewhat dry soils to standing water.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffer. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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