SUFFER Synonyms: 155 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'suffer' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of suffer are abide , bear , endure , stand , and tolerate . While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing. // suffering many insults

Q: When is it sensible to use 'abide' instead of 'suffer'?

While in some cases nearly identical to suffer , abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest. // cannot abide their rudeness

Q: When can 'bear' be used instead of 'suffer'?

In some situations, the words bear and suffer are roughly equivalent. However, bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking. // forced to bear a tragic loss

Q: Where would 'endure' be a reasonable alternative to 'suffer'?

The words endure and suffer can be used in similar contexts, but endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties. // endured years of rejection

Q: When is 'stand' a more appropriate choice than 'suffer'?

The synonyms stand and suffer are sometimes interchangeable, but stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching. // unable to stand teasing

Q: When would 'tolerate' be a good substitute for 'suffer'?

The words tolerate and suffer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful. // refused to tolerate such treatment

suffer

verb

ˈsə-fər

Definition of suffer

as in to undergo

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

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as in to grieve

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to permit

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to let

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb suffer differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of suffer are abide, bear, endure, stand, and tolerate. While all these words mean "to put up with something trying or painful," suffer often suggests acceptance or passivity rather than courage or patience in bearing.

suffering many insults

When is it sensible to use abide instead of suffer?

While in some cases nearly identical to suffer, abide suggests acceptance without resistance or protest.

cannot abide their rudeness

When can bear be used instead of suffer?

In some situations, the words bear and suffer are roughly equivalent. However, bear usually implies the power to sustain without flinching or breaking.

forced to bear a tragic loss

Where would endure be a reasonable alternative to suffer?

The words endure and suffer can be used in similar contexts, but endure implies continuing firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

endured years of rejection

When is stand a more appropriate choice than suffer?

The synonyms stand and suffer are sometimes interchangeable, but stand emphasizes even more strongly the ability to bear without discomposure or flinching.

unable to stand teasing

When would tolerate be a good substitute for suffer?

The words tolerate and suffer are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, tolerate suggests overcoming or successfully controlling an impulse to resist, avoid, or resent something injurious or distasteful.

refused to tolerate such treatment

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 suffer Edgewater quarterback Joe Aicher, who suffered a knee injury in a preseason game against Armwood, is in uniform and back tonight, cleared for takeoff. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 However, the fuel cycle suffers from two major supply and engineering bottlenecks. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 Iranian officials have said the country has suffered $270 billion in direct and indirect damage. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 Five other employees also suffered minor injuries, according to the report. — Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suffer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffer

Verb

That oil can then undergo further processing and hydrotreatment to produce SAF.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Thompson served as a guest judge that season while Cowell, who underwent a six-hour surgery that included the placement of a metal rod in his back, recovered.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of undergo

Verb

Crump was flanked by three sets of grieving Black families who have all lost their sons in recent months.

— Ryan Young, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
The grieving husband said Soto de Guzman wanted to take their son to Santo Domingo on the day after she was killed and had already booked a flight, but the son was in the midst of a mental health crisis.

— Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of grieve

Verb

The invention of steel permitted the rise of skyscrapers, the automobile inspired highway systems and the internet gave rise to a whole new set of digital spaces.

— George C. Lee II, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2026
The other 29 states and the District of Columbia explicitly permit drop boxes by law.

— Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of permit

Verb

While a cause of death has not yet been reported, the actor endured serious health issues in the years after experiencing a major stroke in 2012.

— Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026
The footage shows contestants happily enduring all sorts of mayhem, while being guided by the voice of the late actor Gene Wilder, who famously played Willy Wonka in the 1971 movie.

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of endure

Verb

Luke Halls’ video and projections add another layer of visual unease, allowing screens and technology inside the home to become as suspicious as its shadowy corners.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
Both states have leaned heavily into cooperation agreements with ICE called 287g agreements that allow local and state law enforcement to essentially operate as arms of federal immigration enforcement.

— Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of allow

Verb

That means tolerating the discomfort of not getting an immediate response, and directing all that nervous energy somewhere else.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
The company says one potential application is a temperature logger used during the sterilization of retort food, where equipment needs to tolerate high temperatures while limiting moisture ingress.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of tolerate

Browse Nearby Words

sues (for)

suffer

sufferable

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“Suffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffer. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of suffer

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