suffered; suffering
ˈsə-f(ə-)riŋ 
1
a
: to submit to or be forced to endure
suffer martyrdom
b
: to feel keenly : labor under
suffer thirst
2
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 Shakespeare1
: to endure death, pain, or distress
2
: to sustain loss or damage
3
: to be subject to disability or handicap
sufferableness
noun
Synonyms
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Instead of a defining win, the Broncos suffered a crusher of a 16-14 loss here Sunday when Lutz’s 35-yard walk-off field goal attempt got blocked.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
From the cradle to the grave, Black Americans suffer worse health outcomes than white people.
—Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Cuba's energy grid suffers a complete blackout after Hurricane Rafael made landfall.
—Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Here are the top stories: Decision 2024 in Kentucky: Another Election Day is in the books in Kentucky and there were plenty of eyebrow-raising results in Louisville and around the commonwealth as Metro Council saw some seats flip and Amendment 2 suffered a solid defeat Tuesday.
—Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for suffer 
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Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
From the cradle to the grave, Black Americans suffer worse health outcomes than white people.
—Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
Cuba's energy grid suffers a complete blackout after Hurricane Rafael made landfall.
—Reuters, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
Here are the top stories: Decision 2024 in Kentucky: Another Election Day is in the books in Kentucky and there were plenty of eyebrow-raising results in Louisville and around the commonwealth as Metro Council saw some seats flip and Amendment 2 suffered a solid defeat Tuesday.
—Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for suffer
Dictionary Entries Near suffer
Cite this Entry
“Suffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suffer. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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