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 Juanita, also a grandmother, died of her injuries, while Jessica suffered several fractured ribs, one of which pierced her lungs, the lawsuit states. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026 Conversely, a company may prevail in court while still suffering reputational harm, triggering a decline in share value, eroding stakeholder trust and reinforcing negative narratives. — Alona Karpinska, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 Whether any skiers suffered injuries that didn’t cause their death remains unclear. — Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 Injury update Projected starting center Kilian O’Connor suffered a non-contact injury during USC’s camp practice Wednesday and will be out for the rest of the season, Riley announced. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for suffer

Recent Examples of Synonyms for suffer

Verb

Tommy John, the former New York Yankees pitcher who first underwent the elbow surgery that has been used to further the careers of players for decades, released a statement to fans as the franchise celebrated Old-Timers’ Day on Saturday.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
If the loss wasn’t enough, catcher Daniel Susac underwent an X-ray and was diagnosed with a left knee contusion, per manager Tony Vitello.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of undergo

Verb

In addition to the above costs, the controller said the proposal would require a coastal development permit, which may require studies or permit conditions.

— Tim Fang, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Under national rules, farmers in the Amazon must preserve 80% of their land and may legally clear the remaining 20%, while the moratorium bans any deforestation, even when permitted by law.

— ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of permit

Verb

Simply clamp the Smart Jumper Cables with the mini flashlight directly onto the vehicle battery terminals and let the powerful 29600mWh (8000mAh) 4-cell, high-grade lithium-polymer battery do the work.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
An apologetic statement this week and commitment to not letting history repeat itself has, though, done little to placate the intensifying scrutiny of his leadership.

— Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of let

Verb

Neither side, however, is under any illusion about the nature of the enduring competition.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
The classic coaster, affectionately known as Monty by fans and Zoom by Knott’s, has endured a seemingly endless series of stops and starts during the past four years.

— Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of endure

Verb

Those closest to Mazur are now mourning much more than an accomplished musician.

— Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Li, 24, wasn't the only left mourning the loss of a virtual companion when major Chinese tech companies recently pulled the plug on their popular AI companion services to comply with new government restrictions.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of mourn

Verb

Whisenhunt had struggled in his last three starts leading up to Tuesday, allowing 14 earned runs and walking nine batters over his last 11 2/3 innings.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026
Researchers in South Korea have recently developed a novel 3D printing method that allows soft actuators made from a single material to stretch or contract when exposed to heat.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of allow

Verb

Stern’s decisive response to the Malice at the Palace – the suspensions of the players as well as the punishments meted out to the fans – sent a clear message that such behavior would not be tolerated.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
People with digestive conditions that require a temporary low-fiber diet during flare-ups may also need to limit unhulled sesame seeds, since their fiber-rich outer hull can be difficult to tolerate.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of tolerate

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sues (for)

suffer

sufferable

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“Suffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suffer. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of suffer

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