suffering 1 of 3

suffering

2 of 3

noun

suffering

3 of 3

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
While Zwerner’s pain and suffering have taken center stage in this trial, the upcoming criminal trial would be more likely to touch on what action Parker failed to take, given her duty to protect children, Brown said. Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025 Charlie Kirk spoke out, not to END their suffering but IN FAVOR of it. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
A lot of brands are suffering and going out of business because of all the turmoil. Jennie Bell, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025 Both men started suffering their medical emergencies near the marathon's finish line at West Washington Street and North West Street, according to the coroner's office. Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for suffering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffering
Noun
  • Appearing in court on Monday, Barton pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of sending a grossly offensive communication with the intention of causing distress or anxiety.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The family is seeking damages for negligence and emotional distress.
    Real-Time News team, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Doctors generally do imaging tests such as CT scans or MRIs before concluding—often through process of elimination—that a patient is experiencing a migraine.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Nov. 2025
  • White, who has yet to take the floor this season due to a calf strain, was set to be re-evaluated on Monday after experiencing tightness during a five-on-five scrimmage just over two weeks ago.
    Evan Bell, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • However, the tale of a grieving husband and father quickly unraveled as Murdaugh’s laundry list of financial crimes – and elaborate cover-up schemes – against his legal clients came to light.
    Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
  • One skipped school day exposes the fractures of a family grieving in silence and the contradictions of love that shape her girlhood.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Among the changes are proposals to raise fines for violating vacation rental rules, allowing for more sidewalk dining in Old Town and permitting more housing near MCS Miramar.
    Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Nov. 2025
  • When comparing 2000 and 2025 data, San Jose’s permitting activity has dropped 68%.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Instead of letting that hold her back, Valancy chooses to be open about her feelings instead.
    Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Instead of doing multiple loads at once and letting clean clothes pile up, focus on one load at a time.
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Mamdani's win was seen as an upset to the establishment, since the 67-year-old Cuomo is the son of a three-time New York governor and held the position himself for a decade beginning in 2011.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Boise State fans could have been upset when they were upset at home by Fresno State as their season continued to slide away from them.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The marvel of this verse is in its vulnerability in expressing sorrow, lost love and despair—under the seams runs the pain.
    Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Among the recurrent themes are suicide, mysteriously intractable sorrow, and failed attempts at familial and romantic connection.
    Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The Changing Face of Wealth Management The wealth management services industry is undergoing a demographic transformation.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
  • The rest of his staff, however, is undergoing some remodeling.
    Zack Meisel, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suffering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffering. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.

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