afflict

verb

af·​flict ə-ˈflikt How to pronounce afflict (audio)
afflicted; afflicting; afflicts
Synonyms of afflict

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause pain or suffering to : to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish
people afflicted with arthritis
a region afflicted by hunger and poverty
b
: trouble, injure
2
obsolete
a
: humble
b
: overthrow

Synonyms of afflict

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afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear.

afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

Examples of afflict in a Sentence

The disease afflicts an estimated two million people every year. the South was afflicted by a severe drought
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Speaking to Variety ahead of the market, Mackinnon says the show takes its title from the chronic burnout that afflicts emergency workers on the job. — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026 On screen, Guitarrica’s expressive and angular visage conveys the fright and uncertainty that afflict his character, who is desperate for tenderness. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Love contains the seeds of its own destruction—the cruelty and self-absorption that turns the afflicted against one another, and themselves. — Merve Emre, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2026 Engineers have also taken steps to ensure that a CFT-like thruster anomaly doesn't afflict future Starliner flights. — Mike Wall, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afflict

Word History

Etymology

Middle English afflihten "to excite, become distressed," probably verbal derivative of affliht, aflyght "disturbed, upset," borrowed from Latin afflīctus, past participle of afflīgere "to knock or strike down, ruin, distress severely," from ad- ad- + flīgere "to strike down" — more at profligate entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of afflict was in the 14th century

Rhymes for afflict

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Browse Nearby Words

afflatus
afflict
afflicted
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Cite this Entry

“Afflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afflict. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

afflict

verb
af·​flict ə-ˈflikt How to pronounce afflict (audio)
: to cause suffering or unhappiness to
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