AFFLICTIVE Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

afflictive

adjective

ə-ˈflik-tiv

Definition of afflictive

as in painful

causing or feeling bodily pain the afflictive disease known as shingles is a reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflictive

Adjective

Harvard Health’s advice on coping with holiday grief suggests adjusting celebrations or starting new traditions when old ones feel too painful.

— Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 29 Oct. 2026
In theory, the war’s descent into a painful stalemate should open the door to diplomatic outcomes.

— ALLISON MINOR, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of painful

Adjective

Floodplain development has been a particularly sore subject in Benbrook as the suburb on the western edge of Fort Worth grapples with responsible growth.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2026
Millbrook Resort, nearby, has more of a resort feel, with apartments as well as rooms and a spa for sore ski legs.

— Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of sore

Adjective

The homestretch of the drama, however, takes the story in a chilling direction, packing an aching quantity of feeling into a single glance at a security camera as someone climbs into a car and leaves the compound, never to be heard from again.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026
Charles Frazier, Cold Mountain (1997) Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain is an aching, tender slow burn shaped by absence.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026

Definition of aching

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

afflictions

afflictive

afflicts

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“Afflictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflictive. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of afflictive

adjective

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