SUFFERING Synonyms: 263 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'suffering' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of suffering are agony , distress , and misery . While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress. // the suffering of famine victims

Q: When can 'agony' be used instead of 'suffering'?

While in some cases nearly identical to suffering , agony suggests pain too intense to be borne. // in agony over the death of their child

Q: When might 'distress' be a better fit than 'suffering'?

While the synonyms distress and suffering are close in meaning, distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress. // the hurricane put everyone in great distress

Q: When could 'misery' be used to replace 'suffering'?

The synonyms misery and suffering are sometimes interchangeable, but misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss. // the homeless live with misery every day

suffering 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of suffering

as in mourning

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suffering

2 of 3

noun

as in distress

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

suffering

3 of 3

verb

present participle of suffer

as in experiencing

to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it willingly suffered hardships so that their children would have a better life

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in grieving

to feel deep sadness or mental pain the husband suffered deeply at the mere suggestion that he had been unfaithful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in permitting

to give permission for or to approve of contends that the death penalty is something that no civilized society should suffer

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in letting

to fail to prevent (some behavior on someone's part) especially from neglect or indifference I will not suffer you to insult me so!

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun suffering differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of suffering are agony, distress, and misery. While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

the suffering of famine victims

When can agony be used instead of suffering?

While in some cases nearly identical to suffering, agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.

in agony over the death of their child

When might distress be a better fit than suffering?

While the synonyms distress and suffering are close in meaning, distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.

the hurricane put everyone in great distress

When could misery be used to replace suffering?

The synonyms misery and suffering are sometimes interchangeable, but misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.

the homeless live with misery every day

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of suffering

Noun

The curtain that officials brought down to prevent witnesses seeing Pike’s suffering is merely the visible manifestation of a process that is hidden from voters by design. — Maya Foa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 Companion animal euthanasia is a therapeutic intervention to mitigate suffering; when conducted properly, the process spares the subject both fear and pain. — Dr. Jacob Appel, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Verb

Linebacker Jayden Jennings could be a game-time decision after suffering a shoulder injury in the loss at Houston. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 Speakers at the vigil tried to raise their voices and share the stories of people impacted by the attack and those suffering in Gaza, but demonstrators targeted the mayor. — Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suffering

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffering

Adjective

Oglala Lakota runner Billy Mills was the first non-European to win Olympic gold in the 10-kilometer run with his upset, Olympic-record race at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
After a strong performance in an upset win over Buffalo in Week 4, Maye and the Patriots are back on track.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of upset

Noun

The vast majority expressed deep distress and anger at their government after the massacres that took place in response to January’s mass protests.

— Narges Bajoghli, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026
While ChatGPT isn’t a substitute for professional mental health care, our safeguards are designed to identify distress, safely handle harmful requests, and guide users to real-world help.

— Laura Reiley, Vanity Fair, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of distress

Verb

The judge also weighed mitigating factors, including that Molloy was experiencing difficult personal circumstances, stopped of his own volition and had shown genuine remorse.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
The campus was purchased by Aurora to provide shelter, services and support for people experiencing homelessness.

— Kelly Werthmann, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of experiencing

Verb

When the world mourned the death of a beloved monarch in 2023, Prince Edward was grieving the loss of his beloved cousin.

— Stephanie Bridger-Linning, Vanity Fair, 10 Oct. 2026
Still grieving, Viard struggled to occupy the void left by Lagerfeld, whose larger-than-life personality loomed over the Paris fashion landscape and whose workload at Chanel spanned no fewer than 10 collections a year.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of grieving

Verb

But Chicago still needs better zoning and permitting to jump-start development, such as allowing multifamily buildings on smaller-sized lots.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
Hilton proposed cutting permitting costs and building out rather than up.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of permitting

Adjective

Its success made Cohn a rich, if unhappy, man, at least for a long while.

— Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 6 Oct. 2026
What appeared to be a fairly normal election for a president halfway through his term — a probable setback, as unhappy voters register their discontent — has the potential, Cook said, to turn into a disaster for Republicans.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Noun

Following the ruling, Benson drowns her sorrows over cocktails with Sharpe, and, in a revealing, impeccably acted scene, airs out her grievances about her job.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
As their division rivals popped bottles inside Yankee Stadium’s visiting clubhouse, the home side filled with frustration and sorrow.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of sorrow

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sufferers

suffering

sufferings

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“Suffering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffering. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of suffering

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noun

verb

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