afflict

af·flict

transitive verb \ə-ˈflikt\

Definition of AFFLICT

1

obsolete

a : humble

b : overthrow

2

a : to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish <afflicted with arthritis>

b : trouble, injure

Examples of AFFLICT

1. The disease afflicts an estimated two million people every year.
2. <the South was afflicted by a severe drought>

Origin of AFFLICT

Middle English, from Latin afflictus, past participle of affligere to cast down, from ad- + fligere to strike — more at profligate

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to AFFLICT

Synonyms

agonize, anguish, bedevil, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate, harrow, persecute, plague, rack, torment, torture

Related Words

assail, attack; badger, dog, hound, pursue, ride; aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, distress, disturb, exasperate, gall, get, grate, gripe, hagride, harass, harry, irk, irritate, molest, nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, vex; discomfort, discompose, disquiet, fluster, grieve, perturb, strain, stress, trouble, try, upset, worry; crush, oppress, overpower, overwhelm, smite, strike, tyrannize, victimize; hurt, pain, pang, prick, smart, stab, sting, wring; martyr

Near Antonyms

abet, aid, assist, help; deliver, release, relieve, reprieve; comfort, console, content, quiet, solace, soothe, succor

Synonym Discussion of AFFLICT

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>.

Rhymes with AFFLICT

addict, conflict, constrict, convict, delict, depict, district, edict, evict, inflict, lipsticked, predict, restrict, unlicked, verdict