English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

suffering

SUH-fuh-rihng
noun
1
Pain or distress, whether physical or emotional.
"The famine caused widespread suffering across the region."
adj
1
Experiencing pain or hardship.
"The suffering patients were given priority for treatment."

How to Use Suffering

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe state of being in pain or hardship.

Common pairings
human suffering ease suffering endless suffering

Word Forms

sufferings plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “suffering” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The famine caused widespread _____ across the region.

Etymology

Formed from suffer plus -ing.

Rhymes for suffering

See all rhymes for suffering →
Definitions: FreeDict original editorial