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

None of these afflictions are exclusive to older moms, but age is a big factor in how serious both are. —Heather Grossmann, Parents, 11 Mar. 2026

And here’s another one with Bale playing a character with a mental affliction, from just a couple years later. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026

Ancient foes Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are centuries-old afflictions. —Philip Budge, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026

And then, these afflictions can lead to a life-or-death struggle. —Jayme Moye, Outside, 5 Mar. 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