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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of affliction
Nearly 90 percent of respondents reported injuries or illness on the job — afflictions that spanned heat stroke to exposure to pesticides.
—
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
4 May 2026
An offense built on length has been ravaged by injuries and some sort of affliction that has the Mets regularly hitting the ball into the ground instead of in the air.
—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Even as Steph Curry missed two months with persistent knee soreness and swelling, as Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler were lost for the year with knee injuries, as the team trotted out 41 different starting lineups as other members of the supporting cast dealt with various afflictions.
—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2026
Fans took this to mean that Muniz was suffering from a serious health affliction — but the actor now insists that people have it all wrong.
—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Ashley Miznazi,
Miami Herald,
4 May 2026
An offense built on length has been ravaged by injuries and some sort of affliction that has the Mets regularly hitting the ball into the ground instead of in the air.
—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Even as Steph Curry missed two months with persistent knee soreness and swelling, as Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler were lost for the year with knee injuries, as the team trotted out 41 different starting lineups as other members of the supporting cast dealt with various afflictions.
—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2026
Fans took this to mean that Muniz was suffering from a serious health affliction — but the actor now insists that people have it all wrong.
—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
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The Hoffmans are suing Boelter for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
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Not to mention smoking hot Hart Bochner as the himbo-in-distress.
Noun
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Parting is such sweet sorrow, but these guys aren’t going gently into the night just yet.
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These silences, heavy with sorrow, then adorn the beloved like precious jewels, conveying the idea that only a profound grief can beget such beauty.
Noun
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The pressure that comes with ending a beloved TV show is both a blessing and a curse.
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Their greatest gifts are their biggest curses.
Noun
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There are highs and lows, angels and demons.
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Davion Mitchell is a defensive demon.
Noun
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Greenberg tried his best to ignore an irritating ankle injury that had plagued him the last couple of weeks and grimaced under the hazy sunlight as the pitcher, probably 20 or more years his junior, stared him down.
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There was drama, remarkable goals and worrying injury in Sweden’s showdown with Japan at AT&T Stadium Thursday in the final Group F match.
Noun
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The agony of Sudan runs deep; its history is crisscrossed with blood.
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Or at least movies about soccer can, engaging with themes of race and gender, ego, hubris, economics, politics, fandom, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat — as well as, of course, unadulterated athleticism.
Noun
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Canada’s first-ever World Cup win was overshadowed yesterday when midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg after a tackle that left teammates shaken and coach Jesse Marsch lamenting an injury that turned a night of celebration into one of anguish.
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Lost in the Brazilian tears, anguish and confusion was just how clinical the Germans had been.
Noun
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Fans shrieked and hollered as every player in the realmwide war — Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), Prince Daemon (Matt Smith), the Sea Snake (Steve Toussaint) and his nemesis Lohar (Abigail Thorn) — popped up.
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Now, his old nemesis will carry his name.
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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