inflict
verb (used with object)
to impose as something that must be borne or suffered.
was inflicting
-
past progressiveof inflict.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Last week Takaichi said that the global oil supply squeeze was inflicting an "enormous impact" on the Asia-Pacific region.
From Barron's ● May 12, 2026
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the proposed laws, to be tabled in parliament next week, were aimed at mitigating the "harm" social media was inflicting on Australian children.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2024
Guterres addressed the General Assembly just weeks before the first anniversary on Feb. 24 of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which he said was "inflicting untold suffering on the Ukrainian people, with profound global implications."
From Reuters ● Feb. 6, 2023
As long as each manager was inflicting independent harms, there was no basis for class action status.
From The Verge ● Mar. 16, 2021
If we were alarmed at any time, we always attributed it to some other than the true cause; hence the injury she was inflicting upon the family was unperceived.
From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. V, October, 1850, Volume I. by
