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
Somehow, we’ve been fed the message that our level of suffering proves our worth. Bronwen Sciortino, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 Most economists say the opposite will happen: The excise taxes will end up causing fiscal suffering to average Americans. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
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
Noun
  • At the Santa Monica test location after the rains, the level of beryllium — a metal that is toxic to fish and corals and causes respiratory distress in humans — was more than 10 times the maximum limit allowed.
    Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The result: Some doctors and hospitals have held back on treatments, waiting for the fetal heartbeat to stop or for patients to wind up in undeniable distress.
    Kavitha Surana, ProPublica, 27 Mar. 2025
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
  • 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
Adjective
  • The Pacers pulled off an upset series win against a then No. 3 seed Bucks in six games last year without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
    Homero De la Fuente, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Fifty-eight percent of the bets are on Silva to win, while 71 percent of the money is on a Mitchell upset.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • His eyes filled with sorrow as his mom gave Lola all the attention.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Emotions and sorrow were palpable even though Prine has been dead for nearly five years.
    Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Buehler missed the 2023 season after undergoing a second Tommy John surgery.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
  • 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
  • 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
  • New research found that having more menopause symptoms was linked to worse cognitive and behavioral function, which are markers of dementia.
    Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 11 Apr. 2025
  • But having more menopause symptoms could also mean worse brain health, new research suggests.
    Elizabeth Yuko, Health, 11 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suffering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffering. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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