long-suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

'long-suffering' is a correct word in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is patient and tolerant in spite of difficulties or troubles. For example, "The long-suffering mother finally reached her breaking point with her disobedient children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Irony is more long-suffering.

The New Yorker

"They've been long-suffering.

The Washington Post

Irony is long-suffering.

The New Yorker

Dan let out a long-suffering sigh.

The Guardian - Tech

The long-suffering, tolerant doctor felt betrayed.

The New York Times - Books

"Horrible, long-suffering Sarah Mitchum.

The New Yorker

Talk about your long-suffering mothers.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But City's long suffering fans hardly see it that way.

The New York Times - Sports

It meant so much to us long suffering fans.

The Guardian - Sport

Peter's many long suffering friends will be in despair.

The Guardian

No doubt, we, the long suffering taxpayers.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "long-suffering", ensure that the context clearly indicates a prolonged period of hardship or difficulty that the subject has endured with patience. For example, "The "long-suffering fans" finally saw their team win the championship after decades of losses".

Common error

Avoid using "long-suffering" to describe temporary or minor inconveniences. The term implies a significant and sustained period of hardship. Using it inappropriately can dilute its meaning and sound hyperbolic. Ensure the context warrants the implication of enduring substantial difficulties.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "long-suffering" is as an adjective. It modifies a noun, describing it as having endured hardship patiently for an extended period. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns such as "wife", "fans", and "people".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "long-suffering" is an adjective used to describe someone or something that has patiently endured prolonged hardship. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It frequently appears in news and media contexts to evoke empathy or admiration for the subject's resilience. While synonyms like "patient" or "enduring" exist, "long-suffering" specifically emphasizes the extended duration of the hardship. When using this term, ensure that the context aligns with its implication of significant and sustained difficulties. Overusing it for minor inconveniences can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

longanimous

A more formal synonym emphasizing patience and tolerance of offenses over a long period.

bearing with

A phrasal verb that suggests patiently tolerating someone or something, often with implied difficulty.

suffering in silence

Highlights the lack of outward expression of suffering, shifting the focus to the manner of endurance.

enduring

Highlights the capacity to withstand prolonged difficulty, diminishing the aspect of emotional tolerance.

putting up with

Indicates tolerating something unpleasant, focusing less on the positive aspect of patience.

forbearing

Emphasizes restraint and tolerance in the face of provocation, slightly altering the focus from general hardship.

uncomplaining

Focuses on the absence of complaints despite hardship, downplaying the duration of suffering.

patient

Focuses on the ability to endure hardship without complaint, omitting the 'long' duration aspect.

tolerant

Highlights acceptance and patience, omitting the element of prolonged suffering.

stoical

Stresses indifference to pain and adversity, shifting the emotional tone to detachment.

FAQs

How can I use "long-suffering" in a sentence?

Use "long-suffering" to describe someone or something that has endured hardship patiently for a long time. For example, "The "long-suffering nation" finally achieved peace after years of conflict".

What are some alternatives to "long-suffering"?

Alternatives include "patient", "enduring", "forbearing", or "tolerant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "long-suffering" and "patient"?

"Long-suffering" emphasizes the prolonged duration of hardship endured with patience, while "patient" simply refers to the ability to endure hardship without complaint, regardless of duration.

Is it correct to use "long-suffering" in a formal context?

Yes, "long-suffering" is appropriate in formal contexts, especially when describing a prolonged period of hardship endured with resilience. It is commonly found in news articles and academic texts.