inflict

[in-flikt]

verb (used with object)

1. to impose as something that must be borne or suffered.

   to inflict punishment.

2. to impose (anything unwelcome).

   The regime inflicted burdensome taxes on the people.

3. to deal or deliver, as a blow.

inflict

/ ɪnˈflɪkt /

verb

1. to impose (something unwelcome, such as pain, oneself, etc)

2. rare,  to cause to suffer; afflict (with)

3. to deal out (blows, lashes, etc)

Other Word Forms

• infliction noun
• inflicter noun
• inflictive adjective
• inflictable adjective
• inflictor noun
• preinflict verb (used with object)
• uninflicted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflict¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin inflīctus, past participle of inflīgere “to strike or dash against,” equivalent to in- “in” + flīg- (stem of flīgere “to beat down”) + -tus past participle suffix; in- ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflict¹

C16: from Latin inflīgere to strike (something) against, dash against, from flīgere to strike

Example Sentences

"Yet even to Iran, whose regime has inflicted so much death on the Middle East, the hand of friendship and cooperation is open," he told the Knesset.

Read more on Barron's

He added that the Israeli military had deployed booby-trapped armored assault vehicles, which inflicted damage not only to structures above ground but also to water wells, underground piping and sewage pumps, not to mention roadways.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But when they include organized-crime units assigned to sow chaos and inflict harm abroad, the risks go up.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

We have been given a unique opportunity to right the wrongs inflicted by the pharmaceutical industry.

Read more on Salon

“The continued lack of access for U.S. wine is inflicting real and lasting harm,” said Robert Koch, chief executive of Wine Institute.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• exact 
• expose 
• levy 
• wreak