affliction

[ uh-flik-shuhn ]

See synonyms for affliction on Thesaurus.com

noun

a state of pain, distress, or grief; misery: They sympathized with us in our affliction.
a cause of mental or bodily pain, as sickness, loss, calamity, or persecution.

Origin of affliction

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

synonym study For affliction

2. 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.

Other words for affliction

2	mishap, trouble, tribulation, calamity, catastrophe, disaster

See synonyms for affliction on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for affliction

1	relief, comfort, solace

See antonyms for affliction on Thesaurus.com

Other words from affliction

af·flic·tion·less, adjective
o·ver·af·flic·tion, noun
pre·af·flic·tion, noun

Words Nearby affliction

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use affliction in a sentence

“We always say addiction is an equal opportunity affliction,” Skipper said.
Busted for Heroin: When Pilots Fly High | Caitlin Dickson | July 23, 2014 | 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.
No, Affluenza Is Not a Real Thing | Dr. Michelle K. London | December 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
It took that hideous affliction to remove the even more hideous affliction of destructive and ingrown stories.
The Collector: Rebecca Solnit on Textual Pleasure, Punk, and More | Lauren Elkin | July 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Not only was TBI an unknown affliction in midcentury America, we pretended that the war was in the distant past.
‘Something Happened to My Head. I Couldn’t Get Focused.’ | Dale Maharidge | May 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Casey Schwartz on the science behind the rare affliction—and how it spreads.
Necrotizing Fasciitis: How ‘Flesh-Eating Bacteria’ Strike | Casey Schwartz | May 14, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

For the affliction of the daughter of my people I am afflicted, and made sorrowful, astonishment hath taken hold on me.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
I have borne me up against affliction, till my o'ercharged bosom can contain no longer.
The Battle of Hexham; | George Colman
It is an insult to them to leave them to join in pleasure from which their recent affliction excludes them.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence Hartley
The smoking furnace symbolized the people of Israel who were to be tried in the iron furnace of affliction in Egypt.
The Ordinance of Covenanting | John Cunningham
If, after affliction, your friends call before you are able to see them, do not fear to give offence by declining to receive them.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence Hartley

British Dictionary definitions for affliction

affliction

/ (əˈflɪkʃən) /

noun

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

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

Browse