suffering 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of sufferingnext
as in mourning

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suffering

2 of 3

noun

as in distress

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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
2
as in grieving
to feel deep sadness or mental pain the husband suffered deeply at the mere suggestion that he had been unfaithful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in permitting
to give permission for or to approve of contends that the death penalty is something that no civilized society should suffer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in letting
to fail to prevent (some behavior on someone's part) especially from neglect or indifference I will not suffer you to insult me so!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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
This honors the suffering and death of Jesus, and can prepare observers to share more and to celebrate his Resurrection. —Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Apr. 2026 It’s considered a high bar to clear, and causing excessive suffering to civilians can constitute a war crime. —Josh Boak, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
The Wolverine's journey has not come without challenges, including Elliot Cadeau suffering an allergic reaction just days before Saturday's game. —Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 Momentum appears to be building for a push to suspend or eliminate the 18-cent-per-gallon federal gas tax to help drivers suffering from high prices at the pump due to the Iran war. —Keith Laing, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suffering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffering
  1. distress
  2. experiencing
  3. grieving
  4. permitting
  5. letting
  6. upset
  7. sorrow
  8. undergoing
Noun
  • There is a long history of women's pain being dismissed by doctors, incorrectly categorized as period pain or rooted in psychological distress.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The lawsuit accuses the driver, named as a defendant, of assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
    — Nick Lentz, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of distress
Verb
  • These are the New Yorkers experiencing invisible hunger behind closed doors.
    — Beth Shapiro, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Such districts are often formed when a school district is experiencing a burst of development or enrollment growth concentrated in certain areas, explained Erica Gonzales, a managing director at the investment bank Stifel who specializes in California school financing.
    — Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of experiencing
Verb
  • The main motivation is the seven grieving families.
    — Ashley Sharp, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Families would not be grieving.
    — Jeff Amy, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of grieving
Verb
  • Miami, which lost for the seventh time in eight games, again was slow and passive and inattentive defensively, permitting the Pacers to shoot 58 percent overall and 46 percent (18 for 39) on threes.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Keller was even better, permitting just three singles and no walks in six innings.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of permitting
Verb
  • This will provide humidity without letting the orchid sit in water.
    — Heather Bien, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Rather than picking a fight with the White House, Blanco said, the judges are letting the top prosecutor fall on his face.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of letting
Adjective
  • This small meal should be low in fiber and fat, as these can cause an upset stomach.
    — Dr. Sarah Kinsella, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
  • In his March Madness brackets, Obama has the Arizona Wildcats men defeating the Duke Blue Devils (who have already been upset) and UConn's women's team winning it all.
    — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of upset
Noun
  • Of those witnesses, only one testified to seeing Tex show any signs of sorrow.
    — Lauren A. White, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Redemptive suffering Shared sorrow is a key part of Iran’s Twelver Shiite identity, which venerates the Prophet Muhammad’s family through daughter Fatima and cousin and son-in-law, Ali.
    — Mary Thurlkill, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of sorrow
Verb
  • Bisexuality was undergoing one of its periodic upticks.
    — Jeffrey Eugenides, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026
  • New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto has been diagnosed with a right calf strain after undergoing an MRI on Saturday.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of undergoing

Browse Nearby Words

sufferers
suffering
sufferings
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on suffering

Nglish: Translation of suffering for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about suffering

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