Collocation Dictionary

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Common collocations with suffering in American Collocation

suffering noun countable/uncountable

US /ˈsʌfərɪŋ/

great

appalling
enormous
extreme
great
immense
intense
massive
real
severe
terrible
tremendous
unbearable
unimaginable
untold

There were harrowing tales both of unbearable suffering and remarkable survival.

unnecessary

avoidable
needless
unnecessary

Have children vaccinated to avoid unnecessary suffering.

physical, mental etc

emotional
mental
physical
psychological

The report examines the human and emotional suffering caused by domestic violence.

human or animal

animal
human
personal

The terrible human suffering continues to intensify in Darfur.

affecting many people

widespread

Sanctions have caused widespread suffering.

long-lasting

prolonged

I am comforted to know that he was spared prolonged suffering.

cause suffering

cause
create
impose
inflict

The war inflicted suffering on ordinary civilians.

make suffering less severe

alleviate
ameliorate
ease
lessen
mitigate
reduce
relieve

Palliative care focuses on controlling pain and easing suffering.

reduce suffering to the lowest level

minimize

Everything must be done to minimise the suffering of the Iraqi people.

end suffering

eliminate
end
stop

The cat was put to sleep to end its suffering.

experience suffering

bear
endure
experience
face
undergo

Her immense suffering was borne with incredible strength.

make suffering worse or last for longer

aggravate
increase
prolong

What happens if saving a life means prolonging suffering in ways that do not seem to be in a child’s best interests?

prevent suffering

avoid
prevent

This kind of research could save lives and prevent unnecessary suffering.

see someone else’s suffering

witness

Over the years we have witnessed extreme suffering being imposed on sheep by the live export trade.

amount

amount
degree
level
scale

I have been appalled by the scale of the suffering.

cause

cause

It is man’s pride and greed and inhumanity that is the cause of the suffering.

the act of making suffering less severe

alleviation
relief

The alleviation of suffering is a basic tenet of most people’s morality.

death
distress
evil
hardship
loss
misery
pain
poverty
sorrow

Oxfam works to overcome poverty and suffering throughout the world.