suffering

1 of 2

noun

suf·​fer·​ing ˈsə-f(ə-)riŋ 

1

: the state or experience of one that suffers

2

: pain

suffering

2 of 2

present participle of suffer

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

Noun

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

Noun

That suffering has intensified with every Israeli bomb dropped on ambulances waiting outside hospitals, every drone strike targeting a residential building or journalist, and every shipment of food aid turned away at a border crossing. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026

The myth of the vampire may present some illusion of control, but Rice’s Lestat makes no promise to spare you that kind of suffering. — Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026

Palestinians in the territory said their suffering over the past three years had previously been unimaginable. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

The plaintiffs are seeking damages for pain and suffering and medical expenses. — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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