ENGLISH
REFERENCE

suffers

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈsəfɝz// UK //sˈʌfəz// suf·fers

v. to experience physical or mental pain, or to have a bad experience because of a problem. You use this when someone is sick or when a situation gets worse.

v. to experience physical or mental pain, distress, or hardship. Often used intransitively to describe the decline in quality or condition of an object or situation due to neglect or specific circumstances.


SIMPLE

He suffers from a bad back after years of heavy lifting.

CONTEXTUAL

The local economy often suffers when the main factory in town closes for the summer holidays.

COMPLEX

While the protagonist's physical health remains stable, his mental state suffers significantly as the isolation of the winter months begins to take its toll.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Intransitive when describing pain or decline; frequently takes the preposition 'from' when referring to a specific illness or condition.

Pitfall

he suffers a headachehe has a headacheLearners often use 'suffer' for minor, temporary pains; it is better reserved for chronic conditions or serious distress.

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