affliction

noun

af·​flic·​tion ə-ˈflik-shən 

1

: a cause of persistent pain or distress

a mysterious affliction

2

: great suffering

felt empathy with their affliction

3

: the state of being afflicted by something that causes suffering

her affliction with polio

Synonyms

• distress
• agony
• misery
• pain
• anguish
• discomfort

Examples of affliction in a Sentence

She lost her sight and is now learning to live with her affliction.

He died from a mysterious affliction.

Recent Examples on the Web

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

While every bear presents a unique case, veterinarians know to look for a few common afflictions: malnutrition, dental problems, gallbladder diseases and skin diseases. —Ryley Graham, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025

Another is Austrian pine, which is susceptible to diplodia tip blight, Zimmerman pine moth and other afflictions. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English affliccioun "misery, distress, self-inflicted pain," borrowed from Anglo-French afflicion, borrowed from Late Latin afflīctiōn-, afflīctiō, from Latin afflīgere "to afflict" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for affliction

• addiction
• constriction
• conviction
• depiction
• eviction
• infliction
• nonfiction
• prediction
• restriction
• antifriction
• benediction
• contradiction

Kids Definition

affliction

noun

af·​flic·​tion ə-ˈflik-shən 

1

: the state of being afflicted

2

: something that causes pain or unhappiness