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suffer

suf·fer

suffer

 
 
pronunciation:
suh fr
parts of speech:
intransitive verb, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer, Word Parts
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: suffers, suffering, suffered
definition 1: to experience pain, misfortune, or distress.
The wounded soldiers suffered greatly without medical attention or relief for pain.Food was in short supply, and the poorest citizens suffered the most.He's been suffering with his arthritis for years.
synonyms:
anguish, hurt
similar words:
ache, agonize, ail, grieve, languish, pain, pay, trouble
definition 2: to undergo injury, loss, or deterioration.
The plants suffered during the cold spell.Her skating performance suffered in the months after her injury.Local businesses suffered once the large chain store opened.
synonyms:
deteriorate
antonyms:
benefit
similar words:
decline, drop off, fall off, lose
definition 3: to receive punishment.
His crime was great, and he suffered for it.
similar words:
answer, pay, take the rap
definition 4: to experience (physical ailments) and have pain or distress as a result.
She frequently suffers from migraine headaches.
 
part of speech: transitive verb
definition 1: to endure or experience.
She suffered the loss of her husband during the war.His father suffered a heart attack last fall.
synonyms:
endure, experience, sustain, undergo
similar words:
accept, bear, encounter, tolerate
definition 2: to tolerate.
I can't suffer these people who have nothing better to do than gossip.She could no longer suffer the abuse of her husband, and she made up her mind to leave.
synonyms:
abide, bear, brook, endure, stand, stomach, tolerate
similar words:
accept, sustain, take, withstand
definition 3: to allow; permit.
They kindly suffered me to stay with them.
synonyms:
allow, let, permit
similar words:
authorize, concede, empower, enable, sanction
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derivations: sufferable (adj.), sufferably (adv.), sufferer (n.)
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  injury, virus
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