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Suffer vs Hurt - What's the difference?

suffer | hurt |

In intransitive terms the difference between suffer and hurt

is that suffer is to become worse while hurt is to be painful.

In transitive terms the difference between suffer and hurt

is that suffer is to endure, undergo while hurt is to undermine, impede, or damage.

As an adjective hurt is

wounded, physically injured.

As a noun hurt is

an emotional or psychological hurt (humiliation or bad experience.

suffer

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To undergo hardship.
  • To feel pain.
  • To have a disease or condition.
  • To become worse.
  • To endure, undergo.
  • * Shakespeare
  • If your more ponderous and settled project / May suffer alteration.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-06, volume=408, issue=8843, page=68, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= The rise of smart beta , passage=Investors face a quandary. Cash offers a return of virtually zero in many developed countries; government-bond yields may have risen in recent weeks but they are still unattractive. Equities have suffered two big bear markets since 2000 and are wobbling again. It is hardly surprising that pension funds, insurers and endowments are searching for new sources of return.}}
  • (archaic) To allow.
  • * The U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. ยง 203:
  • "Employ" includes to suffer or permit to work.
  • * Section 31-36 of the Code of Montgomery County, Maryland:
  • *KJV, Matthew 19:14
  • *:But Jesus said, suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Synonyms

    * (l)

    Derived terms

    * insufferable * sufferer * suffering * suffer fools gladly * suffer by comparison

    Anagrams

    * ----

    hurt

    English

    Verb

  • To be painful.
  • Does your leg still hurt ? / It is starting to feel better.
  • To cause (a creature) physical pain and/or injury.
  • If anybody hurts my little brother I will get upset.
  • To cause (somebody) emotional pain.
  • To undermine, impede, or damage.
  • This latest gaffe hurts the MP's reelection prospects still further.

    Synonyms

    * wound, injure

    Derived terms

    * wouldn't hurt a fly

    See also

    * (l)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Wounded, physically injured.
  • Pained.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • An emotional or psychological hurt (humiliation or bad experience)
  • * How to overcome old hurts of the past
  • (archaic) A bodily injury causing pain; a wound or bruise.
  • * 1605 , Shakespeare, King Lear vii
  • I have received a hurt .
  • * John Locke
  • The pains of sickness and hurts all men feel.
  • (archaic) injury; damage; detriment; harm
  • * Shakespeare
  • Thou dost me yet but little hurt .
  • (heraldiccharge) A roundel azure (blue circular spot).
  • (engineering) A band on a trip-hammer helve, bearing the trunnions.
  • A husk.
  • References