Dictionary
suffering
noun
: pain that is caused by injury, illness, loss, etc. : physical, mental, or emotional pain
sufferings : feelings of pain
Full Definition of SUFFERING
1
: the state or experience of one that suffers
2
: pain
See suffering defined for English-language learners
See suffering defined for kids
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First Known Use of SUFFERING
14th century
Synonym Discussion of SUFFERING
distress, suffering, misery, agony mean the state of being in great trouble. distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress <the hurricane put everyone in great distress>. suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress <the suffering of famine victims>. misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss <the homeless live with misery every day>. agony suggests pain too intense to be borne <in agony over the death of their child>.
SUFFERING Defined for Kids
suffering
noun suf·fer·ing \ˈsə-fə-riŋ, ˈsə-friŋ\
Definition of SUFFERING for Kids
: pain experienced during an injury or loss
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