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
Because the experienced product liability attorneys at Burg Simpson fought for her in court, Perez received $3.5 million for pain and suffering, $2 million for her disfigurement, $15 million in punitive damages against Sunbeam, and $35 million against Newell. Sponsored Content, The Denver Post, 28 Feb. 2025 If such a law had been in place, Jerry could have made the choice to end his suffering on his own terms. Tony Ray, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 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
  • While local authorities have since said the incident spawned from a physical altercation between two attendees, and that firearms were not involved, the resulting melee left at least 10 people with non-life-threatening injuries and numerous claiming emotion distress.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Garcia’s damages included physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, anxiety and emotional distress, according to a recording of the verdict from Courtroom View Network.
    Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 14 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
  • In 2018, Ryan Odom led UMBC to the first ever No. 16 upset of a No. 1 in the NCAA Tournament.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Give me the Bulldogs to pull the biggest upset of the second round.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In this moment of sorrow, my thoughts and those of the entire Formula 1 family are with his family and loved ones'.
    Dan Cancian, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • McIlroy expressed his sorrow and predicted that the 15-time major champion will be unable to play for the rest of the season.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, Newsweek, 12 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 25 Mar. 2025.

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