suffering

noun

suf·​fer·​ing ˈsə-f(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce suffering (audio)
Synonyms of sufferingnext
1
: the state or experience of one that suffers
2
: pain
Choose the Right Synonym for suffering

distress, suffering, misery, agony mean the state of being in great trouble.

distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.

the hurricane put everyone in great distress

suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

the suffering of famine victims

misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.

the homeless live with misery every day

agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.

in agony over the death of their child

Examples of suffering in a Sentence

ways to alleviate human suffering They hope these new drugs will help to bring an end to the suffering of arthritis patients. His lawsuit seeks damages for pain and suffering. the sufferings of the dying
Recent Examples on the Web Which is, of course, the entirety of Siddiqui’s pitch: to—based on what the science says—protect future people from future suffering. —Jason Kehe, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024 International pressure to reach a ceasefire deal is mounting as the devastation and suffering in Gaza from Israel’s blockade on aid and widespread destruction of the strip worsens and half the population live with catastrophic levels of hunger. —Jeremy Diamond, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024 Biden welcomes more Gaza aid but says Israel has to do more to relieve suffering. —Thomas Fuller, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2024 But why, when we’re given the option to suffer or not, do so many of us choose suffering? —Dr. Sharon Malone, TIME, 9 Apr. 2024 Israel’s subsequent operations in Gaza, however, triggered new Saudi demands for a meaningful effort to redress Palestinian suffering. —Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2024 The increase in aid and the withdrawal of troops comes after President Biden called on Israel to do more to lessen the suffering in Gaza. —Mansee Khurana, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024 In fact, the Palestinian society is collectively bound by a long-term experience of oppression, dispossession, and a sense of collective insecurity that the Palestinian suffering is a social suffering. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2024 The suffering endured by these innocent animals is incomprehensible and will not be tolerated in our community. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 6 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'suffering.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of suffering was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing suffering

Dictionary Entries Near suffering

suffer fools gladly

suffering

suffer in silence

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Suffering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suffering. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

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Kids Definition

suffering

noun
suf·​fer·​ing
1
: the state or experience of one that suffers
2
: a pain or injury endured
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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