Suffer Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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suffer

[ˈsʌfər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

mental health

Undergo or feel pain or distress.

Synonyms

bear, endure, experience, tolerate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suffer	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.
endure	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.
experience	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.
bear	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.
tolerate	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.

Examples of usage

She suffers from anxiety and depression.
Many people suffer in silence.
He suffered a nervous breakdown last year.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

illness

Be affected by or subject to (an illness or ailment).

Synonyms

be afflicted by, be stricken with.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suffer	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.
be afflicted by	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.
be stricken with	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.

Word

Description / Examples

suffer

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.

be afflicted by

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.

be stricken with

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.

Examples of usage

He suffered a heart attack.
She suffers from asthma.
The child is suffering from a high fever.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

general

The state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship.

Synonyms

distress, hardship, pain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
suffer	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
pain	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
distress	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
hardship	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

Examples of usage

They couldn't bear the sufferings of the war.
She tried to alleviate the sufferings of the refugees.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Chronic suffering can impact mental health, leading to conditions like depression or anxiety.
Coping mechanisms such as mindfulness can help individuals manage their suffering by changing their perspective.
Research indicates that shared suffering in groups can foster stronger bonds between individuals.

Literature

Many famous literary works explore themes of suffering, such as Dante’s 'Inferno', which portrays divine justice and human pain.
In Shakespeare’s plays, characters like Hamlet experience profound suffering, prompting reflections on existence and morality.
The novel 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy highlights the struggle against suffering in a post-apocalyptic world.

Cultural Perspectives

Various cultures have rituals and practices that acknowledge suffering, such as the Japanese concept of 'Mono no Aware', appreciating the beauty in transience.
In Buddhism, suffering is a central theme, and the Four Noble Truths focus on understanding and overcoming it as a means to achieve enlightenment.
Many songs and artworks capture the essence of suffering, turning personal pain into relatable expressions that resonate across cultures.

Science

Neurological studies show that the brain processes emotional and physical suffering in overlapping regions, indicating a deep connection between the two experiences.
Pain research has led to advancements in pain management therapies, highlighting the importance of understanding suffering to improve quality of life.
Studies suggest that altruistic acts can reduce personal feelings of suffering, as helping others activates positive emotions.

Origin of 'suffer'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'sufferre', which means 'to bear or carry', indicating a sense of enduring pain.
In Middle English, it transformed to 'suffren', showing the history of how languages evolve.
The root 'ferre', meaning 'to carry', is also shared with words like 'transfer' and 'confer', linking it to the idea of bearing burdens.

The word 'suffer' originates from Middle English 'suffren', from Old French 'soffrir', based on Latin 'sufferre', from 'sub-' ('from below') + 'ferre' ('to bear'). The sense of 'allow' or 'permit' in the word developed from the notion of enduring pain or hardship.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,807, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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