Definition and Meaning of Suffer

Suffer: Definition and Usage

The verb to suffer has several related meanings:

To feel or endure pain
To experience something unpleasant, such as suffer a defeat
To bear loss or damage, for example, the business suffered during the storm

These meanings highlight the experience of hardship, whether physical, emotional, or material.

Example:
The business suffered significant damage due to the hurricane.

Suffering usually involves enduring negative experiences or outcomes, ranging from physical pain to setbacks in various contexts.

Author's summary:
Suffer refers to enduring pain, unpleasant events, or loss, emphasizing resilience through hardship or adversity.

Merriam-Webster — 2025-11-25