afflict
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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self-afflictingadjective
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afflicternoun
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afflictiveadjective
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unafflictingadjective
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overafflictverb (used with object)
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preafflictverb (used with object)
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have afflictedperfect
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has afflictedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been afflictingperfect progressive
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am afflictingprogressive 1st person singular
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is afflictingprogressive 3rd person singular
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are afflictingprogressive
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afflictssingular 3rd person
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has been afflictingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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afflictingparticiple
Past
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had afflictedperfect
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was afflictingprogressive singular
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afflictedsimple
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were afflictingprogressive plural
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had been afflictingperfect progressive
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afflictedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of afflict
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; see inflict
Explanation
To afflict is to cause suffering, pain, or misery. It’s often associated with medical conditions. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is most likely to afflict someone who spends many hours every day typing on our computers. We get afflict from the Latin word affligere, meaning “to strike down,” which is an old fashioned way of saying to get sick, or to have a condition of some kind. You could argue that chronic indecision was the main problem to afflict Hamlet, or that saying "um," "like," and "you know" are speech tics that afflict teens.
Vocabulary lists containing afflict
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In Migraine Revelations Afflict Michelle Bachmann’s Campaign, John Rennie argues this is not necessarilly a disqualifying thing for her if one understands migraines.
From Scientific American • Jul. 22, 2011
—How can you, lady, suffer this impertinent Afflict you thus?
From A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 2 by Bullen, A. H. (Arthur Henry)
Can a reproach, that in my love had birth, Afflict you so?
From Don Carlos by Schiller, Friedrich
Afflict not one to this dear haven fled, My private earthly paradise—my BED.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 156, May 28, 1919 by Various
Does her loved Ráma's exile so Afflict her with the fires of woe?”
From The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Griffith, Ralph T. H. (Ralph Thomas Hotchkin)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
