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
In the weeks since Mr. Cuomo joined a crowded Democratic primary field and immediately catapulted to its front, a group of New Yorkers whose relatives were nursing home residents who died of Covid have repeatedly blamed him for their suffering. Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 Launched by a research project that spans the war's effects on Ukraine’s ecosystems, the exhibition features more than 40 raw sound recordings, offering a glimpse into the environmental damage and human suffering caused by Russia’s aggression. Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 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
  • The Christmas Eve shooting also devastated the still-grieving Oxford community, where a teenage gunman went on a rampage at Oxford High School in November 2021, killing four classmates and seven others, including a teacher.
    Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 29 Dec. 2024
  • Ward, 28, missed four games while grieving her death.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • But the Pole tightened when on the front foot in two baseline exchanges, moving forward at the wrong time and letting Fritz move out in front.
    James Hansen, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
  • The Wolves did not score for the first 4 minutes, 32 seconds of the quarter, letting a five-point deficit swell to 18 points.
    Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This resulted in the anonymous poster feeling guilty and upset.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Some people find that drinking it on an empty stomach, such as before breakfast, can also lead to digestive upset or acid reflux.
    Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Tomorrow is the day this profound sorrow renews my motivation.
    Bluesky Social, Bluesky Social, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The book, which spans the twenty-odd years of Mii’s life, describes the daily joys and intimacies of having a pet, the difficulties that come with an aging cat, and the sorrows of outliving one’s animal companion.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The incident lopped off a 150-foot section at the end of the pier, which was undergoing a $4 million restoration.
    Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 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
  • The imagery of The Pink Opaque’s Midnight Realm is frightening, but the potent themes and aching nostalgia are what will keep you up at night.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
  • Risotto, in other words, is governed by a set of laws that are rooted in tradition, rich in common sense, and aching to be broken or bent.
    Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Purdy’s story is a reminder that having – or paying – a curious technology person can pay off in a number of ways for your company.
    Gene Marks, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
  • And that's the unique aspect of having unified control of the government.
    CBS News, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Suffering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffering. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

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