suffering

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: agonyexcruciationwoedistresshurtmiserablewretched

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

  1. a state of acute painSynonyms: agonyexcruciation
  2. misery resulting from afflictionSynonyms: woe
  3. psychological suffering“the death of his wife caused him great distress”Synonyms: distresshurt
  4. feelings of mental or physical painSynonyms: hurt

Adjective (2)

  1. troubled by pain or loss“suffering refugees”
  2. very unhappy; full of misery“he felt depressed and miserable”“a message of hope for suffering humanity”“wretched prisoners huddled in stinking cages”Synonyms: miserablewretched
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Suffer \Suf"fer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Suffered; p. pr. & vb. n. Suffering.] [OE. suffren, soffren, OF. sufrir, sofrir, F. souffrir, (assumed) LL. sofferire, for L. sufferre; sub under + ferre to bear, akin to E. bear. See Bear to support.]

1.To feel, or endure, with pain, annoyance, etc.; to submit to with distress or grief; to undergo; as, to suffer pain of body, or grief of mind. [1913 Webster]

2.To endure or undergo without sinking; to support; to sustain; to bear up under. [1913 Webster]

Our spirit and strength entire, Strongly to suffer and support our pains.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

3.To undergo; to be affected by; to sustain; to experience; as, most substances suffer a change when long exposed to air and moisture; to suffer loss or damage. [1913 Webster]

If your more ponderous and settled project May suffer alteration.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

4.To allow; to permit; not to forbid or hinder; to tolerate. [1913 Webster]

Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.— Lev. xix. 17.[1913 Webster]
I suffer them to enter and possess.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

Syn: To permit; bear; endure; support; sustain; allow; admit; tolerate. See Permit. [1913 Webster]

Suffering \Suf"fer*ing\, n. The bearing of pain, inconvenience, or loss; pain endured; distress, loss, or injury incurred; as, sufferings by pain or sorrow; sufferings by want or by wrongs. "Souls in sufferings tried." --Keble. [1913 Webster]
Suffering \Suf"fer*ing\, a. Being in pain or grief; having loss, injury, distress, etc. -- Suf"fer*ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]
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