inflict
[ in-flikt ]
/ ɪnˈflɪkt /
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verb (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.
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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
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; see in-2
OTHER WORDS FROM inflict
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for inflict
British Dictionary definitions for inflict
inflict
/ (ɪnˈflɪkt) /
verb (tr)
(often foll by on or upon) to impose (something unwelcome, such as pain, oneself, etc)
rare to cause to suffer; afflict (with)
to deal out (blows, lashes, etc)
Derived forms of inflict
inflictable, adjectiveinflicter or inflictor, nouninfliction, nouninflictive, adjectiveWord Origin for inflict
C16: from Latin inflīgere to strike (something) against, dash against, from flīgere to strike
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