inflict

[ in-flikt ]

/ ɪnˈflɪkt /

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.

Nearby words

inflectional, inflexed, inflexibility, inflexible, inflexion, inflict, infliction, inflight, inflorescence, inflow, influence

Origin of inflict

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

Related forms

in·flict·a·ble, adjectivein·flict·er, in·flic·tor, nounin·flic·tive, adjectivepre·in·flict, verb (used with object)

un·in·flict·ed, adjective

Can be confusedafflict infect inflict

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inflicting

It is also memories like these that make it easier to write scenes of inflicting pain upon male perpetrators.
Nitehawk Shorts Festival: ‘Brute,’ a Twisted Take on Playing in the Dark|Julia Grinberg|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So far, neither America nor Europe has shown much disposition to bear the inevitable costs of inflicting pain on Russia.
The Unhappy Truth About Ukraine|Leslie H. Gelb|May 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Gómez and Barros have been charged with forced slavery, inflicting bodily harm on a child and false imprisonment.
Argentinian Teen Was Starved and Held Captive With a Canine For 9 Years|Barbie Latza Nadeau|April 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps we factor in what exactly we are inflicting on people with “pack and stack” strategies.
City Leaders Are in Love With Density but Most City Dwellers Disagree|Joel Kotkin|September 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Firearms, after all, are inanimate objects, incapable of inflicting harm on their own initiative.
Angry Gun-Control Debate Does Damage to Both the Right and the Left|Michael Medved|January 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It hit the buck in the left flank, inflicting a painful wound.
The Camp in the Snow|William Murray Graydon
It is a pretty game: creating artificial bankruptcy, and then inflicting punishment for the resulting anarchy.
The Problem of China|Bertrand Russell
A bit of shrapnel had knocked him down, inflicting a superficial scalp-wound, which was healing rapidly.
The Soul of Susan Yellam|Horace Annesley Vachell
But believe me, Granny, we did not suppose we were inflicting pain.
Harper's Round Table, May 28, 1895|Various
But their power of inflicting punishment was limited by the Parliament to a sentence of three years.
John Redmond's Last Years|Stephen Gwynn

British Dictionary definitions for inflicting

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 Formsinflictable, adjectiveinflicter or inflictor, nouninfliction, nouninflictive, adjective

Word Origin for inflict

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for inflicting

inflict

1560s, from Latin inflictus, past participle of infligere "to strike or dash against," from in- "on, against" (see in- (2)) + fligere (past participle flictus) "to dash, strike" (see afflict). You inflict trouble on someone; you afflict someone with trouble. Shame on you.

inflict

verb (used with object)

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Origin of inflict

Examples from the Web for inflicting

British Dictionary definitions for inflicting

inflict

verb (tr)

Word Origin for inflict

Word Origin and History for inflicting

inflict