suffering 1 of 3

Definition of sufferingnext

suffering

2 of 3

noun

suffering

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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
There is so much evil and suffering in the world, so much conniving and malicious intent, and the self is, at least, a familiar foe. Meghan O’Gieblyn, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 With the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, some have also used it to raise funds for people there or stitched designs to focus attention on Palestinian suffering in the enclave. ABC News, 30 June 2026
Verb
No team in modern MLB history has gone on to reach the postseason after suffering a losing streak of 12 games or more. Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 Officers entered the home and found the woman suffering from gunshot wounds. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for suffering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffering
Adjective
  • Play was held up after some upset fans threw things onto the field after the controversial offside call.
    Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • Usually, when the USMNT enters the knockout stage in the World Cup, they’re considered the underdogs, hoping to be scrappy to force an upset.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Noun
  • Watch closely for signs of heat distress in yourself and others, including your neighbors and the elderly, Delaney said.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Never upside down — The flag should never be displayed upside down except as a signal of distress.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • In 2023, more than a decade after a experiencing season-ending racing injuries, Muniz decided to pursue his dream of NASCAR racing full-throttle and announced his return to stock car racing in the ARCA Menards Series.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • According to her defense, Bland was experiencing hallucinations and believed she was being instructed to baptize her family members.
    Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Scammers look for grieving spouses, newly single homeowners and families dealing with estate paperwork.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
  • It’s set in a recognizably near-future, where a grieving couple who have recently lost their son in a tragic accident decides to adopt a humanoid child — one that looks and sounds the same as their dead child.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Energy infrastructure, workforce development, permitting processes, and supply chain visibility all become critical enablers.
    Eric Kutcher, Fortune, 2 July 2026
  • The university would still need to abide by permitting and regulatory requirements for developments.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • Authorities stopped letting people into the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with more than 1,000 sheltering outside the building and some exposed to the elements.
    Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
  • And even though the Fourth is tomorrow, plenty of early deals are already letting the discount freedom ring.
    Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 4 July 2026
Adjective
  • The decade was an unhappy panorama of inflation, gas shortages, military humiliation, and revelations of political corruption.
    Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
  • On Tuesday, Paul urged Americans who are unhappy with the justices’ ruling to support his proposal.
    Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Kara is addicted to drowning her sorrows and avoiding responsibility, but learns to embrace heroism after embarking on a quest for revenge alongside Ruthye (Eve Ridley).
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Parting is such sweet sorrow, but these guys aren’t going gently into the night just yet.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Suffering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffering. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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