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
The classical notion of a totally mindless vegetative state offered at least meager solace: a person devoid of consciousness would not experience pain or suffering. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025 Insurance companies have to cover the medical expenses, car damage repair costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and any other compensation that is agreed upon by both parties in a settlement or ordered by the court. Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 16 May 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
  • The organization provides up to eight free mental health and counseling sessions to youth and their families who have experienced gun violence, abuse or emotional distress.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2025
  • Noumea’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre notified Carnival Splendor about a distress call from a catamaran while the ship was traveling south of New Caledonia on Thursday, according to a news release.
    Nathan Diller, USA Today, 24 May 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
  • When opting out becomes convenient, as easy as letting a contract expire, people are more likely to take it.
    Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Santa Margarita 6, Huntington Beach 5: Chase Marlow singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning to give the Eagles an upset over Sunset League champion Huntington Beach.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
  • But there are things companies can proactively do to help identify their best options and maybe even turn this upset condition into a business advantage for product lines.
    Ryan Gray, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • Long time residents throughout the Bay Area and beyond will recall the shock and sorrow of Nov. 27, 1978, when White walked into City Hall and shot Milk and Moscone.
    Georgia Rowe, Mercury News, 28 May 2025
  • In fact, research has found that some animal species may indeed use wit to strengthen their bonds in the same way that many have the capacity for love, fear, sorrow, guilt, anger, shame, disgust and empathy – and that primates smile and some rats can giggle.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 27 May 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
  • Not for this year’s draft, unfortunately, but having 2026 and 2027 picks from an aging Lightning squad isn’t a bad bet at all.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Suffering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffering. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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