suffer

To feel physical pain or deep sadness.

• I hate seeing him suffer.
• She suffered greatly after her father died.
• No animal should have to suffer like that.

Similar words: hurt, be in pain

Common phrases: suffer badly, suffer greatly, suffer in silence

To have an illness or problem that affects you badly.

• I suffer from headaches.
• She has suffered from anxiety for years.
• Does this area suffer from water shortages?

How to use it: suffer from something (He suffers from asthma.)

Similar words: have, be affected by

Common phrases: suffer from asthma, suffer from something, suffer from headaches

To experience difficult conditions or serious trouble.

• Many families suffered during the war.
• The business suffered a major loss.
• They suffered years of hardship before finding a home.

Similar words: endure, undergo

Common phrases: suffer hardship, suffer a loss, suffer a defeat

To become worse in quality, condition, or performance.

• Without practice, your performance will suffer.
• His grades suffered when he stopped studying.
• The quality has suffered since the factory cut costs.

How to use it: suffer from something (The garden has suffered from neglect.)

Similar words: deteriorate, decline

Opposites: improve

Common phrases: quality suffer, work suffer, suffer from neglect