afflicted

[uh-flik-tid]

adjective

1. greatly distressed or troubled by bodily or mental pain.

   The severity of these symptoms predicts how well the afflicted individuals can live independently and maintain employment.

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. Usually the afflicted a person or persons distressed or troubled in such a way.

   Behind each of these killer diseases is the pain of despair, loneliness, and loss in the lives of the bereaved and the afflicted.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of afflict.

Other Word Forms

• afflictedness noun
• unafflicted adjective
• unafflictedly adverb
• unafflictedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of afflicted¹

afflict ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

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.

From 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.

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Some people in the afflicted neighborhoods claim not everyone is following the advisory to lay off the taps.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• depressed 
• stricken