What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
afflicted
Example
The poor child was afflicted with a rare disease. [afflicted: verb]
Example
The afflicted woman was in constant pain. [afflicted: adjective]
suffering
Example
The patient was suffering from a severe headache. [suffering: verb]
Example
The suffering of the refugees was heart-wrenching. [suffering: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Suffering is more commonly used than afflicted in everyday language. Suffering is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while afflicted is less common and often used in more specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between afflicted and suffering?
Both afflicted and suffering can be used in formal and informal contexts, but afflicted may be considered more formal due to its less common usage.