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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in injury
something that causes loss or pain
cronyism and corruption are afflictions on the body politic
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of affliction
For this reason, middle age is often a time of crisis in the life of a perfectionist, though the affliction manifests at all ages.
—
Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Would the same affliction not have affected Queen Elizabeth, who was 4 years older than Princess Margaret?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Aug. 2025
In a confrontation with the Fantastic Four, Galactus reveals that long ago, he was cursed with this affliction and must destroy planets because of an undying hunger that now lives within him.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 25 July 2025
Some of the city's most impoverished communities also wrestle with the highest rates of afflictions like heart disease, and research suggests more tree canopy and green spaces can reduce these risks, in addition to benefiting stress levels and general quality of life.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Would the same affliction not have affected Queen Elizabeth, who was 4 years older than Princess Margaret?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Aug. 2025
In a confrontation with the Fantastic Four, Galactus reveals that long ago, he was cursed with this affliction and must destroy planets because of an undying hunger that now lives within him.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 25 July 2025
Some of the city's most impoverished communities also wrestle with the highest rates of afflictions like heart disease, and research suggests more tree canopy and green spaces can reduce these risks, in addition to benefiting stress levels and general quality of life.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
-
Those with suicide ideation might attempt suicide, but these attempts often represent a desire to escape distress as opposed to end-of-life issues.—
Eric Wood,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
In Pennsylvania, lawmakers have still not broken out of the impasse, spelling financial distress for schools and counties that rely particularly heavily on state funding.—
Isabella Volmert,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
View each period of pain, sorrow, and struggle as a natural precursor to your inevitable growth.—
Mark Murphy,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Similarly, fellow country artists such as the Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill expressed their sorrow over his passing.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Some monks who were once forced off the island put a curse on it and everyone who ever took anything away from it.—
Sara Stridsberg
September 15,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
-
When her curse begins to affect her physically, Amada travels to the Abyss to seek a cure from the Grand Warlock.—
Mia Sosa,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
With the demon defeated and the haunting over, the Warrens get to experience something of a happily ever after, living to experience Judy’s wedding and see their daughter have her own baby.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Despite specifying various antics with pills, a belt-as-noose, and a gun, Cloud has given him no real demons to explore.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Petry spent the last two seasons back in Michigan with the Detroit Red Wings, but injuries limited him to 44 games in the 2024-25 season.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
With 15 games remaining, Smith may not have enough time to rehab the injury and return for the end of the regular season.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hank, having already experienced life-changing failure, is also able to absorb beatings that would destroy most people, endure the agony, and leap back into action.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The buddy story ended in agony when it was revealed that Edwards was on the list and complicit in the ambush plot.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Rather than let his boy be torn apart by terrible creatures in the mist, David uses a gun to mercy-kill them all and screams in anguish because there isn't a bullet left for him.—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
While Cherry is more versed at keeping her rage simmering just below the surface, Laura struggles to hide her anguish and disgust, which alarms those closest to her.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In the early window, my Dirty Birds were down three to our arch-nemesis, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.—
Coy Wire,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
-
His nemesis Toby returned nine episodes later.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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