Suffer: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when experiencing something painful or unpleasant, often conveying a sense of agony or distress. It usually implies a negative experience and is often related to health or emotional pain.

• She suffers from chronic migraines.
• The town suffered greatly after the hurricane.

Implies a prolonged or sustained experience, often involving hardship or difficulty. It suggests strength and resilience over time.

• They endured years of hardship.
• She endured the long wait patiently.

A neutral term used to describe having something happen to you, whether it's positive, negative, or neutral. It doesn't necessarily imply hardship.

• He experienced a sense of accomplishment.
• She experienced culture shock when she moved abroad.

Used when talking about carrying a burden or dealing with a challenging situation. It can involve both physical and emotional strength.

• He couldn't bear the weight of the news.
• She bore her responsibilities with grace.

Used when putting up with something that is unpleasant or annoying. It often implies a conscious effort to accept something that one finds bothersome.

• She couldn't tolerate the noise any longer.
• He tolerates his colleague's annoying habits.

Used broadly to express experiencing pain, distress, or hardship. It can be physical or emotional and is the most general of all the provided words.

• She suffered greatly after the loss of her pet.
• Many people suffer from anxiety.

Often used in a more formal or literary context to describe being affected by a condition or problem, usually of a serious or chronic nature.

• The village was afflicted by famine for years.
• He has been afflicted by a rare disease since childhood.

Generally used to describe a sudden and severe onset of an affliction, especially illnesses or misfortune. It carries a dramatic tone.

• She was stricken with grief after hearing the news.
• Many people were stricken with cholera during the outbreak.

Used when someone goes through something unpleasant or difficult over a period of time. Can refer to physical or emotional struggles.

• She suffered a great deal after the loss of her mother

Specifically refers to physical or emotional suffering caused by injury, illness, or emotional hurt. It’s often immediate and acute.

• He felt sharp pain in his leg after the fall

Describes a state of extreme worry, sadness, or pain. Usually used in situations where someone needs help or is in urgent discomfort.

• The news of the accident put him in great distress

Typically refers to difficult conditions or severe challenges, often related to financial or living situations. It has a more practical or tangible aspect.

• The family faced many hardships during the economic downturn