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suffer Synonyms

Another word for suffer

Choosing another word for suffer depends on context, so the 30 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 4 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• verb (Context 1)

To experience or be subjected to physical pain, mental distress, illness, or hardship.

Usage Example

"Many patients hurt from chronic back pain due to poor posture at their desks."

Strongest
hurt
Strong
ache
agonize
grieve
languish
smart
endure
Weak
go through

• verb (Context 2)

To sustain or undergo an adverse event, loss, damage, or defeat.

Usage Example

"The coastal region suffered extensive infrastructure damage during the tropical storm."

Strongest
sustain
undergo
incur
Strong
experience
endure
bear
go through
meet with

• verb (Context 3)

To become worse in quality, performance, or condition as a result of neglect or unfavorable circumstances.

Usage Example

"His academic grades began to deteriorate after he took on a demanding part-time job."

Strongest
deteriorate
decline
Strong
worsen
slip
degenerate
falter
slump
fall off

• verb (Context 4)

To tolerate, permit, or put up with someone or something unpleasant (formal or literary).

Usage Example

"The veteran editor was known as a strict perfectionist who did not tolerate fools gladly."

Strongest
tolerate
brook
abide
put up with
Strong
stomach
countenance
endure
bear
stand
permit

Opposites of suffer

The opposite of suffer shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

improve
thrive
forbid
flourish
prohibit
prosper
reject
avoid
See all opposites of suffer

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Suffer. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/suffer
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