suffering

[ suhf-er-ing, suhf-ring ]

noun

1. the state of a person or thing that suffers.

   Synonyms: distress, pain, torture, torment, agony

2. Often sufferings. something suffered by a person or a group of people; pain:

   the sorrows and sufferings of our poorest citizens.

suffering

/ ˈsʌfrɪŋ; ˈsʌfərɪŋ /

noun

1. the pain, misery, or loss experienced by a person who suffers
2. the state or an instance of enduring pain, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈsufferingly, adverb

Other Words From

• suffer·ing·ly adverb
• un·suffer·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of suffering¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; suffer + -ing ¹( def )

Example Sentences

The second miracle attributed to Mr Acutis came in 2024, when a university student in Florence was healed despite having bleeding on the brain after suffering head trauma.

From BBC

"It adequately reflects the strong condemnation by the international community for the crimes committed by him and acknowledges the significant harm and suffering caused to the victims," she added.

From BBC

Clinica Sierra Vista workers routinely head there to find their clients and dole out medications to those suffering from terminal illnesses.

From Los Angeles Times

Verified videos from the Kursk region show fierce fighting is taking place - and that Russia is suffering considerable losses in terms of manpower and equipment.

From BBC

So, how can we address this hidden driver of health care costs and human suffering?

From Salon

Related Words

• adversity
• anguish
• difficulty
• discomfort
• hardship
• misery
• misfortune
• ordeal
• torment
• torture