Definition of AFFLICTING

Choose the Right Synonym for afflict

afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear. afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress. ills that afflict the elderly try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control. children often try their parents' patience torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance. a horse tormented by flies torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering. tortured by a sense of guilt rack stresses straining or wrenching. a body racked by pain

Examples of afflict in a Sentence

The disease afflicts an estimated two million people every year. the South was afflicted by a severe drought

Recent Examples on the Web

As a little girl, Jerisha Fabian typically had Barbies afflicted with some crazy made up medical condition. — Karen Pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Fueled by a passion for nursing that started with her Barbies, she fought through teen pregnancy on her way to getting degree," 26 June 2018 In a revival of the large-scale violence that has afflicted the exhausted and anxious Afghan capital, a suicide attacker set off his bomb near the entrance of the telecommunications ministry, the Interior Ministry... — Ehsanullah Amiri, WSJ, "Large-Scale Assault Hits Afghan Capital After Relative Lull, 10 Dead," 20 Apr. 2019 The new fighting is afflicting a state that was already a tinderbox of racial violence. — Jon Emont, WSJ, "Buddhist Violence Portends New Threat to Myanmar," 4 Jan. 2019 Once in denial over challenges to their business model, the generics-makers now acknowledge the symptoms afflicting them. — The Economist, "Indian drugmakers need a new prescription," 22 Mar. 2018 Postpartum depression, which afflicts up to one in seven women, tends to peak after two to six months and then decline. — Bryce Covert, Glamour, "America Could at Last Pass Paid Leave. But What Good Is a Plan That Excludes Millions of Women?," 2 Apr. 2019 Sampling difficulties for Brazilian polls Polls in Brazil suffer from problems that also afflict other countries, but these problems can be accentuated because of limitations with Brazilian polls. — Ryan Lloyd, Vox, "Pollin’ ain’t easy: why did Brazilian pollsters go so badly astray in 2018?," 26 Oct. 2018 Holm himself is afflicted by a personal torment tied to the reason he’s been taken off patrol duty, which is gradually revealed. — Soren Andersen, The Seattle Times, "‘The Guilty’: Abduction drama focuses on one cop — and one riveting performance," 16 Oct. 2018 But his administration has fallen victim to a problem that afflicted the Obama administration before it — slow first quarters that helped keep annual economic growth below 3%. — Jim Puzzanghera, latimes.com, "U.S. economic growth slows despite Trump's tax cuts," 27 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'afflict.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for afflict

Middle English afflihten "to excite, become distressed," probably verbal derivative of affliht, aflyght "disturbed, upset," borrowed from Latin afflīctus, past participle of afflīgere "to knock or strike down, ruin, distress severely," from ad- ad- + flīgere "to strike down" — more at profligate entry 1

Learn More about afflict