inflict
to impose as something that must be borne or suffered: to inflict punishment.
to impose (anything unwelcome): The regime inflicted burdensome taxes on the people.
to deal or deliver, as a blow.
Origin of inflict
1Other words from inflict
- in·flict·a·ble, adjective
- in·flict·er, in·flic·tor, noun
- in·flic·tive, adjective
- pre·in·flict, verb (used with object)
- un·in·flict·ed, adjective
Words that may be confused with inflict
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use inflict in a sentence
It’s as though all of the trauma inflicted by a beloved teacher has been projected off onto these weirdos with the British slang, characters it is safe to loathe and be viscerally disgusted by.
The mind-boggling end of Susan Choi’s Trust Exercise, explained | Constance Grady | November 20, 2020 | Vox“We are very sorry for the incredible financial burden and terrible inconvenience this is inflicting on all involved,” the group said in a statement posted to the event’s website.
Virginia gun show canceled after judge orders organizers to adhere to state coronavirus crowd limits | Antonio Olivo | November 19, 2020 | Washington PostOther types of shocks may be rare occurrences, but they can inflict much bigger losses and need to be on the radar screen as well.
We still don’t know the mechanisms that allow pathogens to inflict harm on the food we eat, even as we’re working on developing better vaccines to combat such viruses in aquaculture.
How animals can help us demystify viruses | Sandra Gutierrez G. | November 12, 2020 | Popular-ScienceMoreover, Mackey wrote that many of our health problems are “self-inflicted,” and could be prevented with better lifestyle choices.
How to Succeed by Being Authentic (Hint: Carefully) (Ep. 438) | Stephen J. Dubner | November 5, 2020 | Freakonomics
And so the same creeping rot of the rule of law that the administration has inflicted on immigration now bedevils our drug laws.
It seemed gratuitous and counter-intuitive in a story that had already inflicted more than enough suffering.
“They got their chance and they inflicted great pain in the eyes of the world,” said Kakar.
Pakistani School Killers Want to Strike the U.S. | Sami Yousafzai, Christopher Dickey | December 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTViolent ends can be self-inflicted, at the hands of fellow prisoners, or caused by the guards.
Aside from the emotional stress the court case inflicted on her family, she has no regrets.
He shrank, as from some one who inflicted pain as a child, unwittingly, to see what the effect would be.
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodDevoted to the task that he had inflicted upon himself, he grudged every hour that kept him from the field of operations.
He was determined to have it, if only because no greater insult can be inflicted on a Mohammedan than to bare his head.
The Red Year | Louis TracyAs against the pain she inflicted, he had been generous, long-suffering— therefore his conduct was 'beautiful and precious.'
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodThe court paid him the high compliment of refusing his suit, declaring that he had himself inflicted sufficient punishment.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun; | Various
British Dictionary definitions for inflict
/ (ɪnˈflɪkt) /
(often foll by on or upon) to impose (something unwelcome, such as pain, oneself, etc)
rare to cause to suffer; afflict (with)
to deal out (blows, lashes, etc)
Origin of inflict
1Derived forms of inflict
- inflictable, adjective
- inflicter or inflictor, noun
- infliction, noun
- inflictive, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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