SUFFERING Synonyms: 263 Similar and Opposite Words

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

suffering 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of suffering

as in mourning

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suffering

2 of 3

noun

as in distress

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

suffering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of suffer

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

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

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

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

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

But in other cases the suffering is in the head, not the body. — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 And soon, the affluent trafficker of exotic animals identifies Irene as a suffering woman who has quietly become a dangerous predator herself. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 14 July 2026

Verb

Iran has been degraded by over 13,000 strikes, but has survived and reconstituted, rather than suffering a mortal blow. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 July 2026 The goal of the Connecticut non-profit is to pair service dogs with veterans suffering from PTSD, depression and other mental health issues. — Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for suffering

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffering

Adjective

After nearly losing, in what would have been a Cinderella upset, to a completely unheralded Cabo Verde, Argentina benefitted from questionable refereeing decisions in subsequent victories over Egypt and Switzerland.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
Some Carowinds visitors were upset the park did not announce the roller coaster was closed sooner.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026

Definition of upset

Noun

Research supports this, showing that accepting difficult feelings leads to faster recovery and less long-term distress compared to suppression, which can worsen anxiety and depression.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
The environment of a busy pool may trigger sensory overload and distress, causing children to cry or want to leave.

— Tana Carson, The Conversation, 17 July 2026

Definition of distress

Verb

The company says the platform is designed to operate reliably in demanding environments, including high-altitude regions up to 10,800 feet (3,300 meters) above sea level and areas experiencing extremely cold temperatures.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
More significantly, at this time Western officials began to echo Ukrainian claims that Russia was experiencing up to 35,000 dead or wounded on the battlefield every month.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Definition of experiencing

Verb

The flooding brings back painful memories for the community, as many residents are still grieving the losses caused by last July’s floods, Kerrville Police Chief Jerel Haley said Thursday.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Slonim cataloged a mountain of evidence alone, coordinated with the ATF and the Yolo DA, and interviewed suspects and grieving families.

— Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of grieving

Verb

That reflects a long-running slowdown in home construction driven by rising expenses from materials and labor as well as changes in local zoning and permitting rules and lingering scars from the 2008 subprime mortgage collapse.

— Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Singer has allowed 20 home runs in 18 starts this season, coughing up at least one in 12 and permitting multiple home runs in six.

— Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of permitting

Verb

On the opposite side of the ball, he could be heard barking orders out during pick-and-roll situations, loudly letting teammates know where the ball-handler was headed.

— Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
There have also been a couple of difficult periods, with his form and his body letting him down.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 18 July 2026

Definition of letting

Adjective

Brigitte Bardot, a very unhappy wife, is the Penelope stand-in.

— Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 14 July 2026
Given the players’ high-profile status, there is a giant spotlight on the process, with plenty of unhappy fans questioning why the SEC determined both moves were made for athletic purposes.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 July 2026

Definition of unhappy

Noun

As the genre’s name suggests, country music tends to be preoccupied with place; the charts are full of tributes to the satisfaction of being firmly rooted in a small town, and the sorrows of leaving it behind.

— Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Bet your bottom dollar that Son Heung-min, LAFC’s $26-million man — the record MLS fee for an incoming player — would peel himself off the mat and clear away the cobwebs and the sorrow of the past few weeks and months.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2026

Definition of sorrow

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“Suffering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffering. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of suffering

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noun

verb

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