suffer
verb
suf·fer ˈsə-fər 
suffered; suffering ˈsə-f(ə-)riŋ
transitive verb
1
a
: to submit to or be forced to endure
suffer martyrdom
b
: to feel keenly : labor under
suffer thirst
2
: undergo, experience
3
: to put up with especially as inevitable or unavoidable
4
: to allow especially by reason of indifference
the eagle suffers little birds to sing
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeareintransitive verb
1
: to endure death, pain, or distress
2
: to sustain loss or damage
3
: to be subject to disability or handicap
sufferable
ˈsə-f(ə-)rə-bəl
adjective sufferableness noun
sufferably
ˈsə-f(ə-)rə-blē
adverb sufferer
ˈsə-fər-ər
noun 
Synonyms
- endure
- experience
- feel
- have
- know
- pass
- see
- sustain
- taste
- undergo
- witness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Many railway workers suffer chronic health conditions, such as obesity and sleep apnea, according to union officials. Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2022 Should diversity supplant quality in surgeon performance, patient care would suffer. Richard Bosshardt, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 California’s multibillion-dollar agricultural industry could suffer. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022 Millions of Americans now suffer from long COVID – life-altering symptoms that endure for months or even years after an initial infection. Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 14 Sep. 2022 Anyone else who spreads lies about Nicki will suffer a similar fate. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2022 Pockets of the north suffer from especially high rates of violent crime. Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 12 Sep. 2022 Here, one of our titular cash register-jockeys will suffer a heart attack of his own, and decide it’s time to do something with his life. John Defore, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2022 Industries sensitive to rate hikes — like the housing market and auto sales — will suffer. Gad Levanon For Cnn Business Perspectives, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 See More
Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2022 Should diversity supplant quality in surgeon performance, patient care would suffer. Richard Bosshardt, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 California’s multibillion-dollar agricultural industry could suffer. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2022 Millions of Americans now suffer from long COVID – life-altering symptoms that endure for months or even years after an initial infection. Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 14 Sep. 2022 Anyone else who spreads lies about Nicki will suffer a similar fate. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2022 Pockets of the north suffer from especially high rates of violent crime. Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 12 Sep. 2022 Here, one of our titular cash register-jockeys will suffer a heart attack of his own, and decide it’s time to do something with his life. John Defore, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2022 Industries sensitive to rate hikes — like the housing market and auto sales — will suffer. Gad Levanon For Cnn Business Perspectives, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing suffer
Kids Definition
suffer
verb
suf·fer ˈsə-fər
suffered; suffering
1
: to feel or endure pain, illness, or injury
She suffers from arthritis.
2
: to experience something unpleasant
Wilbur was merely suffering the doubts and fears that often go with finding a new friend. E. B. White, Charlotte's Web
E. B. White, Charlotte's Web3
: to bear loss or damage
Business suffered during the storm.
4
: to become worse
His grades are suffering.
5
: permit entry 1 sense 1
"I have done what man could. Suffer me to go." Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court
Mark Twain, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Courtsuffers
verb
1
as in undergoes
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
Relevance
- undergoes
- experiences
- endures
- has
- sees
- knows
- feels
- sustains
- witnesses
- tastes
- receives
- encounters
- goes through
- passes
- accepts
- meets
- digests
- assimilates
2
as in mourns
to feel deep sadness or mental pain the husband suffered deeply at the mere suggestion that he had been unfaithful Synonyms & Similar Words
- mourns
- aches
- sighs
- grieves
- agonizes
- sorrows
- cries
- anguishes
- hurts
- weeps
- bleeds
- sobs
- groans
- torments
- eats one's heart out
- tears one's hair
- bewails
- laments
- tortures
- moans
- bemoans
- languishes
- deplores
- rues
- smarts
- regrets
- howls
- bawls
- wails
- yammers
- blubbers
- racks
- keens
- yowls
- pines (away)
- longs (for)
- takes on
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rejoices
- laughs
- delights
- cheers
- exults
- triumphs
- beams
- assures
- sympathizes
- glories
- ravishes
- reassures
- crows
- cheers
- joys
- comforts
- soothes
- consoles
- commiserates
- solaces
3
as in permits
to give permission for or to approve of contends that the death penalty is something that no civilized society should suffer Synonyms & Similar Words
- permits
- has
- allows
- tolerates
- stands for
- admits
- green-lights
- acquiesces
- endures
- authorizes
- concedes
- licenses
- vouchsafes
- commissions
- grants
- sanctions
- warrants
- okays
- condones
- supports
- agrees (to)
- accords
- accedes (to)
- consents (to)
- assents (to)
- brooks
- licences
- countenances
- OKs
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- forbids
- prohibits
- refuses
- hinders
- denies
- rejects
- proscribes
- enjoins
- obstructs
- impedes
- withholds
- bans
- vetoes
- suppresses
- disapproves
- deplores
- revokes
- disallows
- dislikes
- censures
- restrains
- keeps
- checks
- represses
- curbs
- frowns (at or on)
- interdicts
- discountenances
- disfavors
- grudges
4
as in tolerates
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
- tolerates
- lets
- ignores
- allows
- permits
- disregards
- forgives
- puts up with
- condones
- indulges
- overlooks
- shrugs off
- excuses
- pardons
- humors
- brooks
- winks (at)
- brushes (aside or off)
- caters (to)
- gives in (to)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- prevents
- blocks
- constrains
- prohibits
- forbids
- inhibits
- bars
- discourages
- impedes
- interferes (with)
- curbs
- frustrates
- deters
- holds back