suffering

noun

suf·​fer·​ing ˈsə-f(ə-)riŋ 

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.

some people live in 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

The Biden administration publicly stressed the need to alleviate human suffering in Gaza, while continuing to be Israel’s top supplier of military aid. —Hazlitt, 27 Feb. 2025

Her knockout performance carries The Substance, propelled by visceral desperation, rage and cruel suffering. —Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2025

Silencing a child’s firsthand account of survival in Gaza, where over 13,000 children have been killed since October 2023, is not about compliance but about erasing Palestinian suffering. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025

Then, the night before the conference, my symptoms got much worse; the hotel room didn’t have a lamp dim enough to soothe my suffering orbs. —Peter Ubel, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing suffering

• long-suffering

Rhymes for suffering

• buffering

Kids Definition

suffering

noun

suf·​fer·​ing

1

: the state or experience of one that suffers

2

: a pain or injury endured