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.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM inflict

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH inflict

afflict infect inflict

Words nearby inflict

inflection point, inflectional, inflexed, inflexible, inflexion, inflict, infliction, inflorescence, inflow, influence, influence peddler
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to inflicting

levy, expose, exact, wreak, extort, force, give, visit, require, deliver, administer, command, dispense, strike, apply, subject

Example sentences from the Web for inflicting

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 forms of inflict

inflictable, 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