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suffering

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

adjective

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Synonyms of suffering

(Entry 1 of 3)

as in sad, miserable

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for suffering

orphaned,
widowed

bereaved,
bereft

suffering

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of suffering (Entry 2 of 3)

as in pain, agony

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for suffering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms for suffering

enjoyment

suffering

verb

present participle of suffer

Synonyms & Antonyms of suffering (Entry 3 of 3)

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 for suffering

Words Related to suffering

Phrases Synonymous with suffering

going through

2 to feel deep sadness or mental pain

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

Synonyms for suffering

Words Related to suffering

languishing

regretting

Phrases Synonymous with suffering

Near Antonyms for suffering

3 to give permission for or to approve of

contends that the death penalty is something that no civilized society should suffer

Synonyms for suffering

Words Related to suffering

Phrases Synonymous with suffering

standing for

Near Antonyms for suffering

Antonyms for suffering

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 for suffering

Words Related to suffering

Phrases Synonymous with suffering

putting up with

Near Antonyms for suffering

Antonyms for suffering

Frequently Asked Questions About suffering

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

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