1
as in experiencing
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
Relevance
2
as in grieving
to feel deep sadness or mental pain
the husband suffered deeply at the mere suggestion that he had been unfaithful
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in permitting
to give permission for or to approve of
contends that the death penalty is something that no civilized society should suffer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in letting
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in distress
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of suffering
Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Reflexive, long fashionable anti-Israelism is a given, and horror at the suffering of innocents who are now dying by the thousands is understandable.
—Jeff Robbins, Oc Register, 11 Aug. 2025
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Anyway, Asma is now suffering terribly, according to reports.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for suffering
Adjective
When a man and his son make their way through the subway car, asking for food, Faith recognizes them and wonders why no one on the train seems to care about their suffering.
—Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025
Reflexive, long fashionable anti-Israelism is a given, and horror at the suffering of innocents who are now dying by the thousands is understandable.
—Jeff Robbins, Oc Register, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
Under the hood, your body is often suffering from dehydration and inflammation.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
Anyway, Asma is now suffering terribly, according to reports.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 31 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for suffering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffering
Verb
-
Bereavement hallucinations—intensely vivid encounters with the deceased—are reported by as many as half of all grieving people.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
-
The Catalan feature tells the stories of Anabel and her mother, Delia, who are grieving for Julián, Anabel’s father.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
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For the time being, Pritzker is letting his existing pension-reform proposal speak for itself.—
David Greising,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
-
This will provide humidity without letting the orchid sit in water.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Notably, unemployment among Black men spiked significantly from 5.2% in May to 6.9% in July, illustrating a spreading distress that often starts with the most vulnerable groups and then extends wider in the labor market.—
Aisha Nyandoro,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The legislation also follows several studies that highlighted concerning examples of AI therapy tools overlooking, or even encouraging, signs of mental distress.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Buehler missed the 2023 season after undergoing a second Tommy John surgery.—
Dan Freedman,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
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Bill Clinton is undergoing testing at Georgetown University Hospital where he was hospitalized Monday for a fever, according to the 42nd president’s deputy chief of staff.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
24 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Wiz could be a turning point for an uncertain IPO market and a mergers and acquisitions environment aching from a slowdown in deal activity.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2025
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In fact, this iteration is a lighter and more cushioned version, with a level of support and shock absorption that ensures your feet are not aching after a day of sightseeing.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Not for this year’s draft, unfortunately, but having 2026 and 2027 picks from an aging Lightning squad isn’t a bad bet at all.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
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After having Dirk Nowitzki, a foreign superstar who stuck with the team for his entire career, the team was looking forward to another player following suit.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Thank you for tolerating a strange British idiot.—
Gord Magill,
Newsweek,
21 Dec. 2024
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Instead of being about a bunch of observers helplessly tolerating their peculiar friend, the sketch became an absurd illustration of the way groupthink manifests.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Umpires must already see pitches accurately, move well and handle upset managers and players.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
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All three have gone after one another while 71-year-old conservative activist and talk show host Curtis Sliwa aims for a major upset for Republicans.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suffering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffering. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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