afflict

verb

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

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
2
obsolete
a
: humble
b
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 Finding enough power could be a challenge, since PJM’s process for connecting renewable energy projects to the grid has been afflicted by delays. Brad Plumer, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The complaint was filed amid a growing cost of living and poverty crisis that has afflicted workers employed by major companies in the entertainment industry. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Major Jaw Surgeries Paige Holland started looking for a second opinion when Primary Children’s said her 7-year-old son would next need major jaw surgery to correct the underbite that commonly afflicts cleft patients. Megan Rose, ProPublica, 6 Mar. 2024 Mercury enters Pisces on the 23rd and will be heavily afflicted throughout its entire time there (through March 9th). Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2024 Frank and Walker-Webb pointed out that the cutbacks afflicting Maryland’s largest regional theater in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic are hardly unique to Baltimore. Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2024 Share [Findings] A fungal parasite that afflicts the reproductive organs of millipedes was named in honor of Twitter. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 Neuropsychopharmacology — medication treatment for mental illness — has been transformational in the lives of millions of individuals afflicted with major mental disorders. Anand Kumar, STAT, 27 Feb. 2024 Children are increasingly in need of behavioral health services, childhood vaccines and routine care for conditions such as diabetes and asthma, which commonly afflict low-income Americans. Noah Weiland Desiree Rios, New York Times, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'afflict.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near afflict

Cite this Entry

“Afflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afflict. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

afflict

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

More from Merriam-Webster on afflict

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