inflicting

verb

present participle of inflict
as in imposing
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 inflicting He has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, the department said. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 27 Aug. 2026 Of course, this horrid wave of diarrhea-inflicting illness wasn’t dumped from the sky by a crown-sporting octogenarian president zooming around in a fighter jet. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 20 Aug. 2026 The twin incidents illustrate how the Iran war, now in its sixth month, is inflicting a widening toll on two of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. — Anniek Bao,kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026 He is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury, records say. — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Iran has aimed significant firepower at its neighbors’ refineries, oil exports and tourist attractions, inflicting economic havoc on the Gulf states and the countries that do business with them. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026 In addition to inflicting devastating loss on the battlefield, Ukrainian drones are now advanced enough to penetrate deep into Russian territory. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026 The result is a further layer of complexity in what has become a series of overlapping conflicts that have defied resolution and risk inflicting even greater harm on the world economy in the weeks and months ahead. — Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026 If the disruption lasts, Russia could choke off a crucial source of foreign currency for Ukraine and boost Russia’s international negotiating leverage by inflicting pain on major grain importers in Africa and Asia. — Ian Bremmer, Time, 31 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflicting
  1. imposing
  2. creating
  3. forcing
  4. bringing
Verb
  • The film follows a daughter trying to accompany her mother through her final stage, navigating the challenge of remaining close without denying the loss or imposing a particular way of experiencing it.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Across the lot in an unused patch of pavement, pops of bright orange and yellow reach skyward toward the imposing barbed wire that’s laced atop metal security bars.
    — Leigh-Ann Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of imposing
Verb
  • Rather than just controlling throttle response, as most of these systems do on electric bikes, Bonnell’s clutch actually ramps phase amps directly, creating a more natural clutch-like feel, the company’s CEO says.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This beautiful shade blends warm, golden tones with darker red lowlights, creating this golden cherry shade.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of creating
Verb
  • Jones wanted to show that despite her stern attitude with John and forcing him to grow up, her love for her child always comes through.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
  • However, analysts warn that the plans will likely take years to come to fruition, forcing countries to seek immediate alternatives elsewhere.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of forcing
Verb
  • The Moon enters Aries and your 5th House of Creativity, Romance, Play, and Self-Expression, bringing fresh energy to fun, confidence, desire, and artistic risk.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Brooks Lee hit a two-run home run and Kody Clemens had a solo home run, bringing the Twins within 4-3.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of bringing

Browse Nearby Words

inflicted
inflicting
inflicts
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Cite this Entry

“Inflicting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflicting. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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