widespread suffering

[ˈwɪdˌsprɛd ˈsʌfərɪŋ]
noun phrase
sofrimento generalizado
1. extensive pain, distress, or hardship affecting a large number of people or areas
The war caused widespread suffering among the civilian population.
A guerra causou sofrimento generalizado entre a população civil.
2. pervasive emotional or physical anguish that is not limited to a specific group or region
The pandemic resulted in widespread suffering due to economic losses and health crises.
A pandemia resultou em sofrimento disseminado devido a perdas econômicas e crises de saúde.
This phrase is commonly used in humanitarian, journalistic, and political contexts in both Brazil and the USA. In Brazilian Portuguese media, 'sofrimento generalizado' appears frequently in reports about natural disasters, economic crises, and social upheaval. The term carries significant emotional weight and is often used to mobilize public opinion or international support.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
mass sufferingextensive hardshippervasive distresswidespread paingeneral anguish
Antonyms / Antônimos
localized reliefwidespread prosperitygeneral wellbeingisolated hardship

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
sofrimento generalizado
most common and standard translation
Rio de Janeiro
sofrimento espalhado
colloquial variant using 'espalhado'
São Paulo
sofrimento em massa
variant emphasizing scale and breadth
Portugal
sofrimento generalizado / sofrimento disseminado
both terms used; 'disseminado' slightly more formal

Related Words

humanitarian crisiscollective traumasocial distressmass casualties

Related Idioms & Phrases

a sea of suffering
widespread misery
suffering on a grand scale
dor em massa
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →