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

Other Word Forms

• afflicter noun
• overafflict verb (used with object)
• preafflict verb (used with object)
• self-afflicting adjective
• unafflicting adjective
• afflictive 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

The individual afflicted feels guilt, shame and anger, but ultimately, and perhaps more important, feels — and is — objectively helpless to do anything about it.

Read more on Salon

The topic led “Fox & Friends” co-host Laurence Jones to say that billions of dollars have been spent on programs to care for the homeless and mentally ill but many of those afflicted resist help.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“As this lawsuit shows, major national policy changes are desperately needed to safeguard against the terrible conditions that afflict so many immigrants held in detention centers across the country.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Imagine if Anduril’s and Jet Zero’s plants were going up in Fresno, Bakersfield, San Bernardino or Modesto — areas afflicted with high levels of poverty.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The good news is that both pups and people afflicted with anaplasmosis typically recover quickly with antibiotics.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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