suffering

noun

suf·fer·ing ˈsə-f(ə-)riŋ

Synonyms of suffering next

: the state or experience of one that suffers

: pain

Choose the Right Synonym for suffering

distress, suffering, misery, agony mean the state of being in great trouble.

distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.

the hurricane put everyone in great distress

suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

the suffering of famine victims

misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.

some people live in misery every day

agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.

in agony over the death of their child

Examples of suffering in a Sentence

ways to alleviate human suffering They hope these new drugs will help to bring an end to the suffering of arthritis patients. His lawsuit seeks damages for pain and suffering. the sufferings of the dying

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

The procedure got rid of the pain and suffering because it got rid of the patients. —

Steve Forbes, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 Early treaties on war were meant primarily to protect soldiers from unnecessary pain and suffering. —

Hurst Hannum, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2025 But this is different from a subjective feeling of pain, or of the more complex experience of suffering. —

Shayla Love, The New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2025 And again, my goal has been to end this conflict in Gaza in a way that makes sure that Oct. 7 doesn’t happen again, that ends the suffering of people and does it in an enduring way that brings the hostages home. —

Lulu Garcia-Navarro, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for suffering