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 of affliction

• 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

Vocelle finds criticism that cat dads are seen as feminine, neurotic or less desirable as a relatively modern and unfounded affliction. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Some of this criticism can be chalked up to differing interpretations of the science, and of how best to treat stubborn afflictions such as anxiety and depression when all of the remedies have potential downsides. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

From ancient Rome to early modern England, it was recommended for treating a wild spectrum of afflictions—from simple sores to the bubonic plague. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026

Broadfield also suffers from a location that sits on the fringes of the town, a regular affliction of grounds built in the last 30 years that can leave a club feeling slightly apart from their community. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

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