affliction

[ uh-flik-shuhn ]

noun

1. a state of pain, distress, or grief; misery:

   They sympathized with us in our affliction.

   Antonyms: solace, comfort, relief

2. a cause of mental or bodily pain, as sickness, loss, calamity, or persecution.

   Synonyms: disaster, catastrophe, calamity, tribulation, trouble, mishap

affliction

/ əˈflɪkʃən /

noun

1. a condition of great distress, pain, or suffering
2. something responsible for physical or mental suffering, such as a disease, grief, etc

Other Words From

• af·fliction·less adjective
• over·af·fliction noun
• preaf·fliction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of affliction¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English affliccioun, from Latin afflīctiōn-, stem of afflīctiō; equivalent to afflict + -ion

Synonym Study

Affliction, adversity, misfortune, trial refer to an event or circumstance that is hard to bear. A misfortune is any adverse or unfavorable occurrence: He had the misfortune to break his leg. Affliction suggests not only a serious misfortune but the emotional effect of this: Blindness is an affliction. Adversity suggests a calamity or distress: Job remained patient despite all his adversities. Trial emphasizes the testing of one's character in undergoing misfortunes, trouble, etc.: His son's conduct was a great trial to him.

Example Sentences

“We always say addiction is an equal opportunity affliction,” Skipper said.

From The Daily Beast

The term Affluenza caused a national gag reflex—and as a doctor I can assure you that, no, Affluenza is not a real affliction.

From The Daily Beast

It took that hideous affliction to remove the even more hideous affliction of destructive and ingrown stories.

From The Daily Beast

Not only was TBI an unknown affliction in midcentury America, we pretended that the war was in the distant past.

From The Daily Beast

Casey Schwartz on the science behind the rare affliction—and how it spreads.

From The Daily Beast

For the affliction of the daughter of my people I am afflicted, and made sorrowful, astonishment hath taken hold on me.

From Project Gutenberg

I have borne me up against affliction, till my o'ercharged bosom can contain no longer.

From Project Gutenberg

It is an insult to them to leave them to join in pleasure from which their recent affliction excludes them.

From Project Gutenberg

The smoking furnace symbolized the people of Israel who were to be tried in the iron furnace of affliction in Egypt.

From Project Gutenberg

If, after affliction, your friends call before you are able to see them, do not fear to give offence by declining to receive them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• calamity
• disease
• disorder
• hardship
• illness
• infirmity
• misery
• pain
• scourge
• sickness
• suffering
• torment
• woe