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

On Monday its report into the mishap concluded it had "inflicted heavy damage on the OBR's reputation".

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World champions South Africa humiliated woeful Wales by inflicting a record home defeat on their hosts.

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Speaking at a conference on Monday, head of the Confederation of British Industry Rain Newton-Smith urged Reeves not to inflict "death by a thousand taxes" on businesses.

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The audience has been steadily aging as well, feeling every ache that the decade between the show’s first season and the present has inflicted.

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The Fed’s dovish turn and tighter liquidity have destabilized equity markets of late and inflicted real damage on returns.

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Related Words

• exact 
• expose 
• levy 
• wreak