inflict
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to impose as something that must be borne or suffered.
to inflict punishment.
-
to impose (anything unwelcome).
The regime inflicted burdensome taxes on the people.
-
to deal or deliver, as a blow.
verb
-
to impose (something unwelcome, such as pain, oneself, etc)
-
rare to cause to suffer; afflict (with)
-
to deal out (blows, lashes, etc)
Other Word Forms
- inflictable adjective
- inflicter noun
- infliction noun
- inflictive adjective
- inflictor noun
- preinflict verb (used with object)
- uninflicted adjective
Etymology
Origin of inflict
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
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.
City must hope it has inflicted psychological damage on Arsenal.
From BBC
The broadening out of Operation Epic Fury into a regional conflict is starting to inflict serious economic pain on the Asian economies.
From MarketWatch
However, the longer gas prices stay high, the more damage is inflicted, while disruptions to fertilizer supplies mean food prices spike.
From Barron's
“It now seeks to inflict additional pressure on the regime by making the living conditions for civilians intolerable.”
From Los Angeles Times
The focus here is squarely on her mother, another survivor who inflicts her own share of damage along the way.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
