Bear vs. Suffer — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 7, 2024
Bear involves enduring or carrying something, often silently; suffer focuses on experiencing pain, hardship, or distress.
Difference Between Bear and Suffer
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bear primarily refers to enduring an ordeal or responsibility silently or with composure, implying strength and resilience. On the other hand, suffer denotes undergoing pain, distress, or hardship, highlighting the emotional or physical toll it takes.
While bearing something can have a proactive or stoic connotation, involving the carrying of burdens or maintaining patience, suffering is more passive, emphasizing the condition of being affected by adverse circumstances or illnesses.
Bear also extends to meanings such as "to carry" in physical or symbolic senses, such as bearing a child or bearing a mark. Whereas, suffer mainly revolves around the experience of negative states, with little to no implication of physical carrying.
In everyday language, "bear" can be used to suggest tolerance or coping, such as bearing with someone's faults. On the other hand, "suffer" often conveys a lack of control over one's pain or misfortune, as in suffering from a disease.
The term bear might also involve legal and formal contexts, like bearing witness in a court of law, which involves responsibility and duty. In contrast, suffer does not typically enter such formal domains, staying more within the realms of personal affliction and emotional states.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Endurance, carrying, responsibility
Pain, hardship, distress
Control
Active endurance or stoicism
Passive experience of adversity
Usage
Broader, including physical and metaphorical
Primarily emotional or physical distress
Formal Usage
Legal contexts (e.g., bearing witness)
Less common in formal contexts
Emotional Tone
Neutral or positive (strength, resilience)
Negative (helplessness, discomfort)
Compare with Definitions
Bear
To carry physically.
The pillars bear the weight of the roof.
Suffer
To allow, especially by law.
The law does not suffer theft lightly.
Bear
To possess as a quality or characteristic.
He bears a strong resemblance to his grandfather.
Suffer
To endure adverse conditions.
They suffered through the long winter.
Bear
To endure patiently.
She bore the pain without complaining.
Suffer
To undergo a penalty.
He suffered the consequences of his actions.
Bear
To support or hold up.
The bridge bears the load of heavy traffic.
Suffer
To experience pain or distress.
He suffers from severe arthritis.
Bear
To give birth to.
She bore six children in ten years.
Suffer
To be subject to something unpleasant.
She suffered a great deal of ridicule.
Bear
Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae. They are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans.
Suffer
To feel pain or distress; sustain injury or harm
Suffer from arthritis.
Made the people suffer for their disloyalty.
Bear
To carry (something) on one's person from one place to another
Bore the suitcase to the station.
Suffer
To have a specified shortcoming or weakness
Writing that suffers from poor organization.
Bear
To move from one place to another while containing or supporting (something); convey or transport
A train bearing grain.
Suffer
To sustain a loss, setback, or decline in effectiveness; become worse
When morale drops, the company's performance suffers.
Bear
To cause to move by or with steady pressure; push
A boat borne along by the current.
Suffer
To appear at a disadvantage
"He suffers by comparison with his greater contemporary" (Albert C. Baugh).
Bear
To carry or hold in the mind over time; harbor
Bear a grudge.
Bear ill will.
Suffer
To experience, undergo, or feel (something painful, injurious, or unpleasant)
Suffer a heart attack.
Suffer a debilitating illness.
Suffer pain.
Bear
To have as a visible characteristic or attribute
A letter bearing his name.
Suffer
To undergo or be subjected to (a negative experience or development)
A team that suffered a defeat.
A species that suffered a decline in population.
A business that suffered huge losses.
Bear
To conduct (oneself) in a specified way
She bore herself with dignity.
Suffer
To put up with; tolerate
She does not suffer fools easily.
Bear
To hold up; support
This wall bears much of the weight of the roof.
Suffer
To permit; allow
"They were not suffered to aspire to so exalted a position as that of streetcar conductor" (Edmund S. Morgan).
Bear
To be accountable for; assume
Bearing heavy responsibilities.
Suffer
(intransitive) To undergo hardship.
Many artists suffer before becoming famous.
Bear
To have a tolerance for; endure
Couldn't bear his lying.
Can't bear to see them leave.
Suffer
(intransitive) To feel pain.
At least he didn't suffer when he died in the car crash.
Bear
To have grounds for; call for; warrant
This case bears investigation.
Suffer
(intransitive) To become worse.
If you keep partying like this, your school-work will suffer.
Bear
To give birth to
Bore six children.
Suffer
(transitive) To endure, undergo.
I've been suffering your insults for years.
We hope you never have to suffer the same pain.
Bear
To produce; yield
Plants bearing fruit.
Suffer
To allow.
Bear
To offer; render
I will bear witness to the deed.
Suffer
To feel, or endure, with pain, annoyance, etc.; to submit to with distress or grief; to undergo; as, to suffer pain of body, or grief of mind.
Bear
To yield fruit; produce
Peach trees that bear every summer.
Suffer
To endure or undergo without sinking; to support; to sustain; to bear up under.
Our spirit and strength entire,Strongly to suffer and support our pains.
Bear
To have relevance or influence; apply
They studied how the relativity theory bears on the history of science.
Suffer
To undergo; to be affected by; to sustain; to experience; as, most substances suffer a change when long exposed to air and moisture; to suffer loss or damage.
If your more ponderous and settled projectMay suffer alteration.
Bear
To endure something with tolerance or patience
Bear with me while I explain what happened.
Suffer
To allow; to permit; not to forbid or hinder; to tolerate.
Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
I suffer them to enter and possess.
Bear
To extend or proceed in a specified direction
The road bears to the right at the bottom of the hill.
Suffer
To feel or undergo pain of body or mind; to bear what is inconvenient; as, we suffer from pain, sickness, or sorrow; we suffer with anxiety.
O well for him whose will is strong!He suffers, but he will not suffer long.
Bear
To be directed or aimed in a certain direction or at a target
The guns were brought to bear upon the approaching fleet.
Suffer
To undergo punishment; specifically, to undergo the penalty of death.
The father was first condemned to suffer upon a day appointed, and the son afterwards the day following.
Bear
Any of various usually omnivorous mammals of the family Ursidae that have a shaggy coat and a short tail and walk with the entire lower surface of the foot touching the ground.
Suffer
To be injured; to sustain loss or damage.
Public business suffers by private infirmities.
Bear
Any of various other animals, such as the koala, that resemble a true bear.
Suffer
Undergo or be subjected to;
He suffered the penalty
Many saints suffered martyrdom
Bear
A large, clumsy, or ill-mannered person.
Suffer
Undergo (as of injuries and illnesses);
She suffered a fracture in the accident
He had an insulin shock after eating three candy bars
She got a bruise on her leg
He got his arm broken in the scuffle
Bear
One, such as an investor, that sells securities or commodities in expectation of falling prices.
Suffer
Endure (emotional pain);
Every time her husband gets drunk, she suffers
Bear
A pessimist, especially regarding business conditions.
Suffer
Put up with something or somebody unpleasant;
I cannot bear his constant criticism
The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks
He learned to tolerate the heat
She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage
Bear
(Slang) Something that is difficult or unpleasant
The final exam was a bear.
Suffer
Get worse;
His grades suffered
Bear
(Slang) A highway patrol officer.
Suffer
Feel pain or be in pain
Bear
(Slang) A hairy, stocky gay man.
Suffer
Feel physical pain;
Were you hurting after the accident?
Bear
Characterized by falling prices
A bear market.
Suffer
Undergo or suffer;
Meet a violent death
Suffer a terrible fate
Bear
A large, generally omnivorous mammal (a few species are purely carnivorous or herbivorous), related to the dog and raccoon, having shaggy hair, a very small tail, and flat feet; a member of the family Ursidae.
Suffer
Feel unwell or uncomfortable;
She is suffering from the hot weather
Bear
The meat of this animal.
We had barbecued bear for dinner.
Suffer
Be given to;
She suffers from a tendency to talk too much
Bear
(figuratively) A rough, unmannerly, uncouth person.
Suffer
Be set at a disadvantage;
This author really suffers in translation
Bear
(finance) An investor who sells commodities, securities, or futures in anticipation of a fall in prices.
Bear
A state policeman short for Smokey Bear.
Bear
(engineering) A portable punching machine.
Bear
(nautical) A block covered with coarse matting, used to scour the deck.
Bear
(cartomancy) The fifteenth Lenormand card.
Bear
Something difficult or tiresome; a burden or chore.
That window can be a bear to open.
Bear
(obsolete) A pillowcase; a fabric case or covering as for a pillow.
Bear
To endeavour to depress the price of, or prices in.
To bear a railroad stock
To bear the market
Bear
To carry or convey, literally or figuratively.
They came bearing gifts.
Judging from the look on his face, he wasn't bearing good news.
The little boat bore us to our destination.
This plant's light and fluffy seeds may be borne by the wind to remote islands.
Bear
To carry upon one's person, especially visibly; to be equipped with.
The right to bear arms
Bear
To wear. en
Bear
To carry (offspring in the womb), to be pregnant (with).
The scan showed that the ewe was bearing twins.
Bear
(transitive) To have or display (a mark or other feature).
She still bears the scars from a cycling accident.
The stone bears a short inscription.
This bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack.
Bear
(transitive) To display (a particular heraldic device) on a shield or coat of arms; to be entitled to wear or use (a heraldic device) as a coat of arms.
The shield bore a red cross.
Bear
(transitive) To present or exhibit (a particular outward appearance); to have (a certain look).
He bore the look of a defeated man.
Bear
(transitive) To have (a name, title, or designation).
The school still bears the name of its founder.
Bear
(transitive) To possess or enjoy (recognition, renown, a reputation, etc.); to have (a particular price, value, or worth).
The dictator bears a terrible reputation for cruelty.
Bear
To have (interest or a specified rate of interest) stipulated in its terms.
The bond bears a fixed interest rate of 3.5%.
Bear
To have (an appendage, organ, etc.) as part of the body; (of a part of the body) to have (an appendage).
Only the male Indian elephant bears tusks.
Bear
(transitive) To carry or hold in the mind; to experience, entertain, harbour (an idea, feeling, or emotion).
To bear a grudge, to bear ill will
Bear
To feel and show (respect, reverence, loyalty, etc.) to, towards, or unto a person or thing.
The brothers had always borne one another respect.
Bear
(transitive) To possess inherently (a quality, attribute, power, or capacity); to have and display as an essential characteristic.
To bear life
Bear
To have (a relation, correspondence, etc.) to something else.
The punishment bears no relation to the crime.
Bear
(transitive) To give (written or oral testimony or evidence); (figurative) to provide or constitute (evidence or proof), give witness.
His achievements bear testimony to his ability.
The jury could see he was bearing false witness.
Bear
(transitive) To have (a certain meaning, intent, or effect).
This word no longer bears its original meaning.
Bear
To behave or conduct (oneself).
She bore herself well throughout the ordeal.
Bear
To possess and use, to exercise (power or influence); to hold (an office, rank, or position).
Bear
To carry a burden or burdens.
Bear
To take or bring (a person) with oneself; to conduct.
Bear
To support, sustain, or endure.
Bear
(transitive) To support or sustain; to hold up.
This stone bears most of the weight.
Bear
To endure or withstand (hardship, scrutiny, etc.); to tolerate; to be patient (with).
The pain is too much for me to bear.
I would never move to Texas — I can't bear heat.
This reasoning will not bear much analysis.
Please bear with me as I try to find the book you need.
Bear
(transitive) To sustain, or be answerable for (blame, expense, responsibility, etc.).
The hirer must bear the cost of any repairs.
Bear
(transitive) To admit or be capable of (a meaning); to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change.
Bear
(transitive) To warrant, justify the need for.
This storm definitely bears monitoring.
Bear
To support, keep up, or maintain.
Bear
(transitive) To afford, to be something to someone, to supply with something. en
Bear
(transitive) To carry on, or maintain; to have. en
Bear
To press or impinge upon.
Bear
To push, thrust, press.
The rope has frayed where it bears on the rim of the wheel.
Bear
To take effect; to have influence or force; to be relevant.
To bring arguments to bear
How does this bear on the question?
Bear
Of a weapon, to be aimed at an enemy or other target.
The cannons were wheeled around to bear upon the advancing troops.
Bear
To produce, yield, give birth to.
Bear
To give birth to (someone or something) may take the father of the direct object as an indirect object.
In Troy she becomes Paris’ wife, bearing him several children, all of whom die in infancy.
Bear
To produce or yield something, such as fruit or crops.
This year our apple trees bore a good crop of fruit.
Bear
To be, or head, in a specific direction or azimuth (from somewhere).
Carry on past the church and then bear left at the junction.
By my readings, we're bearing due south, so we should turn about ten degrees east.
Great Falls bears north of Bozeman.
Bear
To gain or win.
Bear
Characterized by declining prices in securities markets or by belief that the prices will fall.
The great bear market starting in 1929 scared a whole generation of investors.
Bear
To support or sustain; to hold up.
Bear
To support and remove or carry; to convey.
I 'll bear your logs the while.
Bear
To conduct; to bring; - said of persons.
Bear them to my house.
Bear
To possess and use, as power; to exercise.
Every man should bear rule in his own house.
Bear
To sustain; to have on (written or inscribed, or as a mark), as, the tablet bears this inscription.
Bear
To possess or carry, as a mark of authority or distinction; to wear; as, to bear a sword, badge, or name.
Bear
To possess mentally; to carry or hold in the mind; to entertain; to harbor
The ancient grudge I bear him.
Bear
To endure; to tolerate; to undergo; to suffer.
Should such a man, too fond to rule alone,Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne.
I cannot bearThe murmur of this lake to hear.
My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Bear
To gain or win.
Some think to bear it by speaking a great word.
She was . . . found not guilty, through bearing of friends and bribing of the judge.
Bear
To sustain, or be answerable for, as blame, expense, responsibility, etc.
He shall bear their iniquities.
Somewhat that will bear your charges.
Bear
To render or give; to bring forward.
Bear
To carry on, or maintain; to have.
Bear
To admit or be capable of; that is, to suffer or sustain without violence, injury, or change.
In all criminal cases the most favorable interpretation should be put on words that they can possibly bear.
Bear
To manage, wield, or direct.
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison?
Bear
To afford; to be to; to supply with.
His faithful dog shall bear him company.
Bear
To bring forth or produce; to yield; as, to bear apples; to bear children; to bear interest.
Here dwelt the man divine whom Samos bore.
Bear
To produce, as fruit; to be fruitful, in opposition to barrenness.
This age to blossom, and the next to bear.
Bear
To suffer, as in carrying a burden.
But man is born to bear.
Bear
To endure with patience; to be patient.
I can not, can not bear.
Bear
To press; - with on or upon, or against.
These men bear hard on the suspected party.
Bear
To take effect; to have influence or force; as, to bring matters to bear.
Bear
To relate or refer; - with on or upon; as, how does this bear on the question?
Bear
To have a certain meaning, intent, or effect.
Her sentence bore that she should stand a certain time upon the platform.
Bear
To be situated, as to the point of compass, with respect to something else; as, the land bears N. by E.
Bear
To endeavor to depress the price of, or prices in; as, to bear a railroad stock; to bear the market.
Bear
A bier.
Bear
Any species of the genus Ursus, and of the closely allied genera. Bears are plantigrade Carnivora, but they live largely on fruit and insects.
Bear
An animal which has some resemblance to a bear in form or habits, but no real affinity; as, the woolly bear; ant bear; water bear; sea bear.
Bear
One of two constellations in the northern hemisphere, called respectively the Great Bear and the Lesser Bear, or Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
Bear
Metaphorically: A brutal, coarse, or morose person.
Bear
A person who sells stocks or securities for future delivery in expectation of a fall in the market.
Bear
A portable punching machine.
Bear
A block covered with coarse matting; - used to scour the deck.
Bear
Barley; the six-rowed barley or the four-rowed barley, commonly the former (Hordeum hexastichon or Hordeum vulgare).
Bear
Massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
Bear
An investor with a pessimistic market outlook; an investor who expects prices to fall and so sells now in order to buy later at a lower price
Bear
Have;
Bear a resemblance
Bear a signature
Bear
Give birth (to a newborn);
My wife had twins yesterday!
Bear
Put up with something or somebody unpleasant;
I cannot bear his constant criticism
The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks
He learned to tolerate the heat
She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage
Bear
Move while holding up or supporting;
Bear gifts
Bear a heavy load
Bear news
Bearing orders
Bear
Bring forth,
The apple tree bore delicious apples this year
The unidentified plant bore gorgeous flowers
Bear
Take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person;
I'll accept the charges
She agreed to bear the responsibility
Bear
Contain or hold; have within;
The jar carries wine
The canteen holds fresh water
This can contains water
Bear
Bring in;
Interest-bearing accounts
How much does this savings certificate pay annually?
Bear
Have on one's person;
He wore a red ribbon
Bear a scar
Bear
Behave in a certain manner;
She carried herself well
He bore himself with dignity
They conducted themselves well during these difficult times
Bear
Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices;
She bears the title of Duchess
He held the governorship for almost a decade
Bear
Support or hold in a certain manner;
She holds her head high
He carried himself upright
Bear
Be pregnant with;
She is bearing his child
The are expecting another child in January
I am carrying his child
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to bear responsibility?
It means to accept and carry out a duty or burden.
What is an example of bearing in a physical sense?
Structures like bridges bearing weight.
How does suffer relate to physical health?
It is often used to describe experiencing symptoms or illnesses.
Can suffer be used positively?
Typically, it has negative connotations, associated with experiencing pain or hardship.
Is bear used in legal contexts?
Yes, such as in phrases like "bearing witness."
What does "bear with me" mean?
It means "be patient with me."
What forms of suffering can people experience?
Physical, emotional, and psychological.
Does suffer imply endurance?
Yes, but it focuses more on the involuntary endurance of hardship.
Can one bear happiness?
No, bear typically involves enduring something difficult or carrying burdens.
How does "suffer" interact with legal language?
It can appear in legal contexts related to permissions or prohibitions, such as "the law does not suffer fraud."
Can bear imply a positive outcome?
Yes, as in enduring something to achieve something greater.
Is it correct to say "suffer a responsibility"?
No, suffer is not typically used with responsibility.
Can animals suffer?
Yes, animals can suffer physical or emotional pain.
Is suffering always related to pain?
Typically, but it can also refer to enduring broadly negative or difficult experiences.
Are there expressions using both bear and suffer?
Not commonly, as they address different aspects of experience.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
