inflict

American  

[in-flikt] / ɪnˈflɪkt /

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.

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inflict British  

/ 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)

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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

"So Pyongyang is likely to conduct tests and issue rhetoric about nuclear command, control, and delivery systems to suggest it could inflict unacceptable harm if its naval forces come under attack."

From Barron's

“The longer the conflict and disruptions persist, the larger the possible negative hit to business and consumer confidence from increased uncertainty that would inflict further drag on economic activity.”

From MarketWatch

U.S. stock indexes tumbled on Thursday, after it became clear to investors that Iran was willing to inflict—and suffer—economic pain as the conflict in the Middle East drags on.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Premier League has seen reputation damage inflicted in the last two days – now the work begins to repair in the second legs of these ties.

From BBC

Both brothers’ decisions are driven in part by an identical desire: to avoid inflicting on their own families a repeat of their own childhood trauma of seeing their mother chased to her death by paparazzi.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• exact
• expose
• levy
• wreak