inflict

verb

Definition of inflictnext
as in to impose
to cause someone to accept or experience something unwanted The criminal inflicted a lifetime of distress on his unsuspecting victims.

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of inflict Caruso has been charged with kidnapping, lewd or lascivious molestation, lewd or lascivious exhibition, luring or enticing a child, and child abuse inflicting mental injury. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 The picture could change, however, if higher rates finally begin to inflict significant damage on the economy or financial markets. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026 At issue before the court was the question of whether cities and states may sue oil and gas producers for the damages inflicted by climate change. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 The brutality and inhumanity that white Americans inflicted on free and enslaved Black people drove them out. — Karen Masterson, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
  1. impose
  2. create
  3. force
  4. bring
Verb
  • The ban had been imposed by the central elections committee, a political body dominated by Netanyahu allies, on the basis that the parties supported armed struggle against Israel.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The restrictions, imposed without warning early Thursday, cut the internet data connection when a communication terminal moves faster than 100 mph.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of impose
Verb
  • For a government overseeing a population dominated by mobile expats, that created a lot of uncertainty in terms of establishing an economic base that can support a welfare system and basic state infrastructure.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The working group of administrators and Greek life representatives created action plans for each chapter to resume operations in fall 2018 based on a blind review of their previous four years.
    — Brittany Shammas, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of create
Verb
  • Andrey Khrzhanovskiy, a blogger who filmed the assault, said the settlers beat Levine with sticks while the journalists and villagers were forced to retreat.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Trump repeatedly leaned on Thune to kill the filibuster in order to pass it, and other senators wanted Thune to try to force Democrats to pull off a talking filibuster to block the bill.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of force
Verb
  • Creality's approach is rather different, swapping smaller nozzle assemblies instead of complete print heads, and potentially bringing the benefits of multi-nozzle printing to a more affordable machine.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For the Bills fans, the store opening is bringing a slice of home and Upstate New York.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of bring

Browse Nearby Words

inflexible
inflict
inflicted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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