suffering 1 of 3

Definition of sufferingnext

suffering

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noun

suffering

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verb

present participle of suffer
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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun suffering differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of suffering are agony, distress, and misery. While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

the suffering of famine victims

When can agony be used instead of suffering?

While in some cases nearly identical to suffering, agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.

in agony over the death of their child

When might distress be a better fit than suffering?

While the synonyms distress and suffering are close in meaning, distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.

the hurricane put everyone in great distress

When could misery be used to replace suffering?

The synonyms misery and suffering are sometimes interchangeable, but misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.

the homeless live with misery every day

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 suffering
Noun
Head down, shoulders hunched, and fingers flying on a keypad with the intensity of an individual suffering from an addiction. Michael Gerling, Fortune, 24 June 2026 The results have wide-ranging implications for the Democratic Party, which has been in a period of soul-searching since the suffering sweeping loses in the 2024 elections. Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2026
Verb
No team in modern MLB history has gone on to reach the postseason after suffering a losing streak of 12 games or more. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 Officers entered the home and found the woman suffering from gunshot wounds. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for suffering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffering
Adjective
  • Katie Wilson won an upset victory to lead Seattle last fall.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026
  • This is an odd thing to be upset about.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • The Hoffmans are suing Boelter for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
    David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 24 June 2026
  • Not to mention smoking hot Hart Bochner as the himbo-in-distress.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • Perhaps nowhere is this truer than in Europe, the world’s fastest-warming continent, which is currently experiencing its most severe heatwave ever recorded.
    Kara Fox, CNN Money, 28 June 2026
  • The order comes as Utah is experiencing one of the most severe wildfire seasons in recent history, fueled by historic drought conditions.
    Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
Verb
  • Scammers look for grieving spouses, newly single homeowners and families dealing with estate paperwork.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
  • It’s set in a recognizably near-future, where a grieving couple who have recently lost their son in a tragic accident decides to adopt a humanoid child — one that looks and sounds the same as their dead child.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Schlittler did allow some traffic before things unraveled in the fifth, permitting a walk and a single to start the inning.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026
  • Fixing The Permitting Problem The first barrier states need to address is permitting.
    Tom Bitting, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Create together, letting goodwill guide the next draft forward.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 28 June 2026
  • The Property Brothers star, 48, got candid about previously letting his work bleed too much into his home life, to the point where his 4-year-old son, Parker, started noticing.
    Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Isdin Melatonik If traditional retinoids have left your sensitive skin unhappy, Isdin's Melatonik Recovery Night Serum offers a gentler approach with bakuchiol.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 June 2026
  • Brown and the Celtics have both since denied speculation that the 29-year-old second-team All-NBA selection was unhappy with his role in Boston.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • Kara is addicted to drowning her sorrows and avoiding responsibility, but learns to embrace heroism after embarking on a quest for revenge alongside Ruthye (Eve Ridley).
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Parting is such sweet sorrow, but these guys aren’t going gently into the night just yet.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Suffering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffering. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.

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