afflict

[ uh-flikt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to distress with mental or bodily pain; trouble greatly or grievously:

   to be afflicted with migraine headaches.

   Synonyms: plague, torment, harass, vex

2. Obsolete.
   1. to overthrow; defeat.
   2. to humble.

afflict

/ əˈflɪkt /

verb

1. tr to cause suffering or unhappiness to; distress greatly

Derived Forms

• afˈflictive, adjective

Other Words From

• af·flict·er noun
• o·ver·af·flict verb (used with object)
• pre·af·flict verb (used with object)
• self-af·flict·ing adjective
• un·af·flict·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of afflict¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English afflicten, from Latin afflīctus “distressed,” past participle of afflīgere “to cast down” ( af- af- + flīg- “knock” + -tus past participle suffix); replacing Middle English aflight, from Middle French aflit, from Latin; inflict

Word History and Origins

Origin of afflict¹

C14: from Latin afflictus, past participle of afflīgere to knock against, from flīgere to knock, to strike

Example Sentences

Doctors have raised alarms as young workers have been afflicted with silicosis, a deadly illness caused by inhaling particles of crystalline silica.

From Los Angeles Times

Standing before TV cameras, Trump shuddered and stuttered, as if afflicted with palsy, making fun of the journalist whose articles he disliked.

From Los Angeles Times

Hard times have long afflicted the Land of Enchantment.

From Los Angeles Times

Something is genuinely off about the goings-on at the conference, from strange deaths and elevators that suddenly aren’t elevators, to a rash of scabby infections afflicting guests and the discovery of a subterranean tunnel.

From Los Angeles Times

An unusual autumn heat wave afflicts California, with elevated fire concerns that on Monday prompted some power shutoffs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annoy
• beset
• bother
• burden
• oppress
• plague
• rack
• torment
• torture
• wound