suffering

American  

[suhf-er-ing, suhf-ring] / ˈsʌf ər ɪŋ, ˈsʌf rɪŋ /

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.

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suffering British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• sufferingly adverb
• unsuffering adjective

Etymology

Origin of suffering

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

Example Sentences

The move has further exacerbated the already crippling oil and fuel shortages Cuba has been suffering for years.

From BBC

There have been challenges and moments of suffering, as in any vocation, but I remain grateful for the call.

From The Wall Street Journal

He was stressed, suffering the chest pains and swollen joints of recurrent rheumatic fever.

From Literature

"There would be famine and people would suffer a lot. People are suffering now, but at least with war, our fate might be clear," 60-year-old homemaker Tayebeh said.

From Barron's

County Superior Court jury decided last week that the city was 62.5% liable, the rescue group was 25% liable and Horta was 12.5% liable for medical expenses and pain and suffering.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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