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suffer

verb
suf·​fer | \ ˈsÉ™-fÉ™r How to pronounce suffer (audio) \
suffered; suffering\ ˈsÉ™-​f(É™-​)riÅ‹ How to pronounce suffering (audio) \

Definition of suffer

transitive verb

1a : 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

intransitive verb

1 : to endure death, pain, or distress
2 : to sustain loss or damage
3 : to be subject to disability or handicap
Other Words from suffer Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about suffer

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Other Words from suffer

sufferable \ ˈsÉ™-​f(É™-​)rÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce sufferable (audio) \ adjective
sufferableness noun
sufferably \ ˈsÉ™-​f(É™-​)rÉ™-​blÄ“ How to pronounce sufferably (audio) \ adverb
sufferer \ ˈsÉ™-​fÉ™r-​É™r How to pronounce sufferer (audio) \ 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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Inter seem unlikely to suffer the same fate as their city rivals, especially at their own stadium. — SI.com, "Inter vs Udinese Preview: Where to Watch, Buy Tickets, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News," 11 Sep. 2019 The often-dominant tight end suffered a bruised spinal cord in his neck and wound up in the ICU. — Jr Radcliffe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "These are the Wisconsin sports injuries that still haunt us," 11 Sep. 2019 Over the summer, while still playing for the Oakland Raiders, Brown suffered a foot injury from frostbite after reportedly not wearing the right footwear in a cryotherapy chamber, according to Sports Illustrated. — Mahita Gajanan, Time, "Patriots Wide Receiver Antonio Brown Is Accused of Rape in a Lawsuit. Here's What to Know," 11 Sep. 2019 Lopez suffered smoke inhalation and burns over 13 percent of his body, including his arms, back and right hand. — Pauline Repard, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Jury deliberating whether father to blame for condo fire that killed his children," 10 Sep. 2019 Mayfield suffered what was believed to be a bruised wrist during Sunday’s 43-13 loss to the Titans during one of his five sacks. — Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com, "Freddie Kitchens on Baker Mayfield’s wrist, his bond with Gregg Williams and other things we learned," 10 Sep. 2019 There are two types of hunting/fishing boots that do not appear to suffer this problem. — Frank Sargeant, al, "How to find hunting boots that won’t let you down," 8 Sep. 2019 Isn’t Mother Nature considerate to stagger our bird buddies’ departures so that people like me don’t have to suffer their absence all at once? — Cori Brown, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Cori Brown: Nature signals a time to recharge," 7 Sep. 2019 Freeland bombed out of the gate, got demoted to Triple-A Albuquerque and then came back only to suffer what might be a season-ending groin injury. — Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, "Kyle Freeland’s season is lost, just like the Rockies. But 2020 will truly indicate where the southpaw stands.," 6 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'suffer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of suffer

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

History and Etymology for suffer

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

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More Definitions for suffer

suffer

verb
How to pronounce suffer (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of suffer

: to experience pain, illness, or injury
: to experience something unpleasant (such as defeat, loss, or damage)
: to become worse because of being badly affected by something

See the full definition for suffer in the English Language Learners Dictionary

suffer

verb
suf·​fer | \ ˈsÉ™-fÉ™r How to pronounce suffer (audio) \
suffered; suffering

Kids Definition of suffer

1

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