suffer
verb (used without object)
to undergo or feel pain or distress.
was suffering
-
past progressiveof suffer.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
When we awarded Bennett the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2017, he was suffering from dementia.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
At the second they were able to remove it and send him on his way again with the wheel unencumbered, the steering issues he was suffering before that eradicated.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
Amina was suffering from an aggressive necrotising infection that had spread to her skull.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
Mangione's lawyers will argue that he was suffering from an "extreme emotional disturbance" -- a partial defense that can reduce a sentence, unlike an insanity plea, which seeks to avoid criminal responsibility altogether.
From Barron's ● Jun. 17, 2026
She did not want them to know that she was suffering inwardly and needed to lie down comfortably somewhere and sleep for a long time.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
