1
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
she listened with deep affliction as her daughter told her about the latest trouble she was in
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2
as in sorrow
deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved
felt such great affliction over the destruction of the beautiful old home
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3
as in curse
a source of harm or misfortune
alcohol has been his affliction ever since he took his first drink at the age of 12
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4
5
as in injury
something that causes loss or pain
cronyism and corruption are afflictions on the body politic
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affliction
The show, which ran for five seasons, featured Chamberlain as the handsome and caring attendant to a panoply of guest-star patients seeking aid and comfort for a variety of afflictions.
—
David Morgan, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2025
One such affliction is Tay-Sachs, a disease that disproportionately affects people of Ashkenazi descent and destroys brain and spinal nerve cells.
—New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2025
Neither the dangerously rampant mental health afflictions among military folk nor the dehumanization and exploitation of undocumented people have gone unexplored in American cinema.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
The affliction is becoming more common.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
David Morgan, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2025
One such affliction is Tay-Sachs, a disease that disproportionately affects people of Ashkenazi descent and destroys brain and spinal nerve cells.
—New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2025
Neither the dangerously rampant mental health afflictions among military folk nor the dehumanization and exploitation of undocumented people have gone unexplored in American cinema.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
The affliction is becoming more common.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
-
The visits focus on loneliness and emotional distress, issues that many survivors say have intensified amid the war in Ukraine and rising antisemitism in the United States.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The demonstrations, sparked by economic distress and anger at Iran’s clerical rulers, were met with a sweeping crackdown that activists say has killed thousands.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Strangers from around the world have expressed their condolences and sorrow in an online obituary for the couple.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the deaths and ordered authorities to use all available resources to prevent further losses.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the preview, it was mentioned that Leon has something called the Umbrella curse.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
-
In the 2002 comedy, McAdams plays a catty teen who's turned into, yep, Saturday Night Live alum Schneider, via a curse.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
So, Hippocrates argued, the illness of epilepsy must be caused, like any other illness, by imbalance, not demons.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Rumi’s accessories include her Four Tiger Sword and a HUNTR/X light stick, while Juni, appearing in his demon form, includes his guitar and a Saja Boys light stick.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Kuminga then saw a combination of injuries and uneven performances lead to lessened playing time before eventually falling out of the rotation altogether.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The Pats also added center Garrett Bradbury (illness) to their injury report.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Neither Kleckner, nor her artmaking, was all agony and activism, however.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The name refers to the agony the local fishermen’s wives endured while their husbands spent long, dangerous days at sea.—
Ryan McCarthy,
Saveur,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
However, the announcement has not dispelled the uncertainty or anguish among detainees’ families.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Nacua lay on the turf at Bank of America Stadium, not in physical pain but instead in mental anguish.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In this version of the classic tale, Peter is Wendy's father, and James, the book’s Captain Hook, plans to seduce her to get back at his nemesis.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
26 Jan. 2026
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Formerly a longtime nemesis of the Mets, Kimbrel was one of the best closers of the 2010s.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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