suffer

verb

suf·​fer ˈsə-fər How to pronounce suffer (audio)
suffered; suffering ˈsə-f(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce suffer (audio)

transitive verb

1
a
: to submit to or be forced to endure
suffer martyrdom
b
: to feel keenly : labor under
suffer thirst
2
3
: to put up with especially as inevitable or unavoidable
4
: to allow especially by reason of indifference
the eagle suffers little birds to singWilliam Shakespeare

intransitive verb

1
: to endure death, pain, or distress
2
: to sustain loss or damage
3
: to be subject to disability or handicap
sufferable adjective
sufferableness noun
sufferably adverb
sufferer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for suffer

bear, suffer, endure, abide, tolerate, stand mean to put up with something trying or painful.

bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

Examples of suffer in a Sentence

He died instantly and did not suffer. He suffered a heart attack and died instantly. She suffered an injury during the game. We suffered a great deal during the war. I hate to see a child suffer. She suffered through another one of their long visits. The team suffered a defeat in the play-offs. Their relationship suffered because of her work.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Steen suffered from Duchenne’s disease, a form of muscular dystrophy that gets progressively worse over time. Cameron Koch, Rolling Stone, 23 Nov. 2024 The Bears have fallen apart in the most crucial moments and their lack of preparation in a Hail Mary loss to the Washington Commanders and a field goal block suffered against the Green Bay Packers is likely to be his Chicago legacy. Steve Silverman, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 Twenty-eight staff members and four inmates, including Garcia, suffered injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to a hernia and serious head trauma. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024 One firefighter suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, D'Amico said. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for suffer 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sufferen, suffren, borrowed from Anglo-French suffrir, going back to Vulgar Latin *sufferīre, re-formation of Latin sufferre "to submit to, endure," from suf-, assimilated form of sub- sub- + ferre "to carry, bear" — more at bear entry 2

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of suffer was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near suffer

Cite this Entry

“Suffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suffer. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

suffer

verb
suf·​fer ˈsəf-ər How to pronounce suffer (audio)
suffered; suffering -(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce suffer (audio)
1
: to feel or endure pain
2
: to experience something unpleasant
suffer a defeat
3
: to bear loss or damage
the business suffered during the storm
4
sufferable adjective
sufferableness noun
sufferably adverb
sufferer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on suffer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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