inflict

verb

in·​flict in-ˈflikt 

inflicted; inflicting; inflicts

transitive verb

1

a

: to give by or as if by striking

inflict a painful sting

inflict damage

b

: to cause (something unpleasant) to be endured

… inflict my annual message upon the church itself if it might derive benefit thereby.

—Mark Twain

2

: afflict

inflicter noun

or inflictor

in-ˈflik-tər 

inflictive

in-ˈflik-tiv 

adjective

Examples of inflict in a Sentence

These insects are capable of inflicting a painful sting.

Recent Examples on the Web

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry has said that evidence shows conversion therapies inflict harm on young people, including elevated rates of suicidal ideation. —Geoff Mulvihill, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2025

Former National Security Adviser John Bolton said the departure of Waltz from the national security adviser post is yet another blow to America’s global stature inflicted by Trump. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025

In a separate interview with The New York Times in 2020, Hernandez elaborated on the emotional pain inflicted by the abuse. —Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

But former Arsenal manager Unai Emery and his men had other ideas, and two goals in eight minutes from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins levelled the game and inflicted a huge blow on Arsenal’s belief. —Andy Jones, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin inflictus, past participle of infligere, from in- + fligere to strike — more at profligate

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for inflict

• addict
• afflict
• constrict
• delict
• depict
• evict
• handpicked
• predict
• relict
• restrict
• bricked
• clicked

Kids Definition

inflict

verb

in·​flict in-ˈflikt 

1

: to give by or as if by striking

inflict a wound

2

: to cause (something damaging or painful) to be endured

inflict punishment

infliction

-ˈflik-shən

noun