Suffer Definition & Meaning
suffer
- verb
- undergo or be subjected to; "He suffered the penalty"; "Many saints suffered martyrdom"
- undergo (as of injuries and illnesses); "She suffered a fracture in the accident"; "He had an insulin shock after eating three candy bars"; "She got a bruise on her leg"; "He got his arm broken in the scuffle"
- experience (emotional) pain; "Every time her husband gets drunk, she suffers"
- put up with something or somebody unpleasant; "I cannot bear his constant criticism"; "The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks"; "he learned to tolerate the heat"; "She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage"
- get worse; "His grades suffered"
- feel pain or be in pain
- feel physical pain; "Were you hurting after the accident?"
- feel unwell or uncomfortable; "She is suffering from the hot weather"
- be given to; "She suffers from a tendency to talk too much"
- undergo or suffer; "meet a violent death"; "suffer a terrible fate"
- be set at a disadvantage; "This author really suffers in translation"
"Suffer" in song lyrics
See how suffer is used in real songs:
-
"A 45 tucker, nine mili' make em suffer"
50/50 Twin f/ H.A.W.K., Ankaman — Freestyle -
"Pretend like her gills didn't dry up and suffer"
Aesop Rock — The Harbor Is Yours -
"It's okay mom cuz your baby didn't suffer"
Aztlan Underground — Killing Season
Words that rhyme with suffer
Usage tips for "suffer"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "suffer" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for suffer to find words that pair well.