Find Synonyms
suffering Synonyms
Another word for suffering
Choosing another word for suffering depends on context, so the 21 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
• noun (Context 1)
The state of undergoing physical pain, mental distress, or hardship.
Usage Example
"Modern palliative care focuses on alleviating the pain of patients with chronic illnesses."
Strongest
pain
distress
misery
Strong
anguish
agony
hardship
torment
affliction
adversity
woe
• adjective (Context 2)
Experiencing or subjected to physical pain, mental distress, or severe hardship.
Usage Example
"The medical team worked tirelessly to bring relief to the afflicted patients in the clinic."
Strongest
afflicted
Strong
distressed
tormented
anguished
stricken
pained
wretched
• noun (Context 3)
An instance of pain, distress, or hardship (usually used in the plural).
Usage Example
"The memoir recounts the severe sufferings endured by the explorers during the harsh winter."
Strongest
hardship
Strong
ordeal
tribulation
trial
affliction
misfortune
woe
Opposites of suffering
The opposite of suffering shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
pain-free
comfort
well-being
relief
blessing
thriving
bliss
pleasure
• Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Suffering. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/suffering