The disease afflicts an estimated two million people every year.
the South was afflicted by a severe drought
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Whether the winner’s curse afflicts buyers in other countries remains an open question.—Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025 However, Romo was seemingly afflicted with a malady that Prescott cannot inoculate himself against.—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 Jewelry companies have begun raising the alarm over possible price increases afflicting already-weary consumers.—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2025 The bears’ behavior is also affected by climate change — for example, the megadrought currently afflicting this region.—Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for afflict
Word History
Etymology
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
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