LONG-SUFFERING Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

long-suffering 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlȯŋ-ˌsə-f(ə-)riŋ

Definition of long-suffering

as in patient

accepting pains or hardships calmly or without complaint the long-suffering parents calmly waited until the tantrum had passed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

long-suffering

2 of 2

noun

ˈlȯŋ-ˌsə-f(ə-)riŋ

as in patience

the capacity to endure what is difficult or disagreeable without complaining you will need infinite long-suffering to put up with that arrogant jerk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 long-suffering

Adjective

His affinity for Aurelio’s Pizza and long-suffering support for the White Sox, Bulls and Bears has since stirred a fresh wave of hometown pride in Chicago. — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2026 The good are rewarded, the long-suffering and loyal get their spotlight moment, and Judas is denied their 30 pieces of silver. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026 Once a long-suffering underling to Streep’s Priestly, her fortunes have now dramatically reversed. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026 When asked where Optimus was, the staffer explained in long-suffering tones that the robots only appeared for special occasions. — Camila Domonoske, NPR, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for long-suffering

Recent Examples of Synonyms for long-suffering

Adjective

Adrienne Andrews, an obstetrics nurse, said UPMC hasn't been following national standards set for nurse-to-patient ratios.

— Ricky Sayer, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Sarepta provided limited grants to the Speak Foundation in 2024 and 2025 to support patient programs.

— Kat Bryant Knudson, STAT, 31 July 2026

Definition of patient

Noun

Hyuk-Woon Kwon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to France, added that while fusion energy development requires long-term patience and multi-generational cooperation, the installation milestone demonstrates steady progress.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 30 July 2026
While he was surprised by his fellow Klutch Sports Group client’s decision, Moody preached patience to Warriors fans fretting about their own team’s inactivity this offseason.

— Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 30 July 2026

Definition of patience

Adjective

This fantasy of the obedient wife becomes Agamemnon’s undoing.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 29 July 2026
But Magdalen’s temporary embodiment of her sister’s demure, obedient nature does not temper her impulsive, dramatic tendencies—only the development of an empathetic, analytical intelligence can do that.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026

Definition of obedient

Browse Nearby Words

longsome

long-suffering

long suit

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Long-suffering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/long-suffering. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of long-suffering

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on long-suffering

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

torpor

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes