suffer

verb

suf·​fer ˈsə-fər 

suffered; suffering ˈsə-f(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

a

: to submit to or be forced to endure

suffer martyrdom

b

: to feel keenly : labor under

suffer thirst

2

: undergo, experience

3

: to put up with especially as inevitable or unavoidable

4

: to allow especially by reason of indifference

the eagle suffers little birds to sing

—William Shakespeare

intransitive verb

1

: to endure death, pain, or distress

2

: to sustain loss or damage

3

: to be subject to disability or handicap

sufferable

ˈsə-f(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

sufferableness noun

sufferably

ˈsə-f(ə-)rə-blē 

adverb

sufferer

ˈsə-fər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• endure
• experience
• feel
• have
• know
• pass
• see
• sustain
• taste
• undergo
• witness

Choose the Right Synonym for suffer

bear, suffer, endure, abide, tolerate, stand mean to put up with something trying or painful.

bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

Examples of suffer in a Sentence

He died instantly and did not suffer.

He suffered a heart attack and died instantly.

She suffered an injury during the game.

We suffered a great deal during the war.

I hate to see a child suffer.

She suffered through another one of their long visits.

The team suffered a defeat in the play-offs.

Their relationship suffered because of her work.

Recent Examples on the Web

Before the awards show, Michael had been warned about the fireworks that would occur during sets by Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert because Michael suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025

Of course, the public did not yet know that the princess was suffering from cancer and did not understand the reasons for her disappearance from public life. —Vanity Fair, Glamour, 30 Mar. 2025

Psyllium husk, which is in this easy-to-take capsule, is a form of soluble fiber that has incredible results for those suffering from constipation. —Vogue, 30 Mar. 2025

More than 150 million Americans cast a ballot in last year's marquee election that put President Donald Trump back in the White House and saw Democrats in Congress suffer serious setbacks. —Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 30 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sufferen, suffren, borrowed from Anglo-French suffrir, going back to Vulgar Latin *sufferīre, re-formation of Latin sufferre "to submit to, endure," from suf-, assimilated form of sub- sub- + ferre "to carry, bear" — more at bear entry 2

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing suffer

• suffer fools gladly
• suffer in silence
• suffer the consequences

Rhymes for suffer

• buffer
• duffer
• kafir
• puffer
• rougher
• tougher

Kids Definition

suffer

verb

suf·​fer ˈsəf-ər 

suffered; suffering -(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to feel or endure pain

2

: to experience something unpleasant

suffer a defeat

3

: to bear loss or damage

the business suffered during the storm

4

: permit entry 1 sense 1, allow

sufferable

ˈsəf-(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

sufferableness noun

sufferably

-blē 

adverb

sufferer

ˈsəf-ər-ər 

noun