What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suffer
Example
She suffered from a headache all day. [suffered: past tense]
Example
The company suffered a loss due to the pandemic. [suffered: verb]
Example
He suffered a broken leg in the accident. [suffered: verb]
withstand
Example
The building was able to withstand the earthquake. [withstand: verb]
Example
She has a strong immune system that can withstand illnesses. [withstand: verb]
Example
He was able to withstand the emotional stress of losing his job. [withstand: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Suffer is more common in everyday language than withstand. Suffer is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while withstand is more formal and less frequently used.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between suffer and withstand?
Withstand is more formal than suffer and is typically used in more professional or academic contexts. Suffer is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
