suffer
verb (used without object)
to undergo or feel pain or distress.
had been suffering
-
past perfect progressiveof suffer.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
During the court proceedings, consultant psychiatrist and pharmacologist, Dr Erik Messamore, gave evidence to confirm that he believed Murphy had been suffering from a steroid-induced psychosis.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
His daughter told CNN that her father had been suffering from medical issues, and the recent conjecture has been unsettling.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 25, 2026
According to her family, the woman, who had been suffering from a traumatic brain injury, left that evening for a walk and never returned.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2026
Police responding to the scene of Irsay's death were told he had been suffering chronic health issues, and medical officials concluded no autopsy was necessary, the Post reported.
From Barron's ● Jan. 23, 2026
“I thought that—and please don’t take this the wrong way—perhaps she had been suffering from dementia,” she said.
From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson
