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

Ventura then fled to her parents’ home in Connecticut, where her mother took pictures of the bruises Combs had allegedly inflicted on her, the suit states. —Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Some were inflicted on drunken patients who slipped on the ice. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025

Its grip on critical supply chain materials, especially rare earths, gives it a way to inflict pain — and corporate America is watching closely. —Grady McGregor, New York Times, 21 May 2025

The harm that the Brigstocke family inflicts upon Catherine Ravenscroft, played by Cate Blanchett in the show’s main timeline, and Leila George in flashback, is core to a more modern depiction of parenting on the limited series. —Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 20 May 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