inflict

play

verb in·flict \ in-ˈflikt \

Definition of inflict

transitive verb

1 :afflict

2 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

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inflicter

or inflictor play \in-ˈflik-tər\ noun

—

inflictive

play \in-ˈflik-tiv\ adjective

See inflict defined for English-language learners

See inflict defined for kids

Examples of inflict in a Sentence

These insects are capable of inflicting a painful sting.

Recent Examples of inflict from the Web

One situation involves a level of chronic stress that is inflicted on you against your will and which really could harm you in the long run; the other doesn’t.

— jesse singal, Daily Intelligencer, "Stop Telling Students Free Speech Is Traumatizing Them," 18 July 2017
This is an intentional occupation of black and brown communities; a continual profiteering from generational poverty inflicted by a white supremacist capitalist society.

— kirsten west savali, The Root, "Jim Crow Laws Alive and Well in de Blasio’s NYC: Black and Brown People Still Targeted, Arrested at Higher Rates Than Whites, Report Finds," 14 July 2017
As lots of others have noted, America’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies have to pitch a perfect game every day, while those that would inflict harm on us just have to hit once to advance their aims.

— alana abramson, Time, "'My Loyalty Is to the Constitution.' Read Trump FBI Pick Christopher Wray's Opening Statement," 12 July 2017
The developer behind the original Petya ransomware has provided a tool to help minimize the damage inflicted on infected PCs.

— kevin parrish, Fox News, "The master decryption key for the Petya ransomware can't help NotPetya victims," 10 July 2017
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, set up as a response to the abuse inflicted on indigenous students in residential schools, concluded its findings in December 2015, attempting to redress the legacy with 94 Calls to Action.

— craig taylor, Smithsonian, "See Canada Through Fresh Eyes on a First Nations Tour," 10 July 2017
Jeremy Corbyn inflicted an electoral blow on Theresa May last month by appealing to young voters with a promise to scrap university tuition fees if his opposition Labour Party won power.

— andrew atkinson, Bloomberg.com, "Graduates in England Face Decades of Paying Student Debt: Chart," 6 July 2017
The internet outages also can inflict serious damage on the economies of African countries that desperately seek growth, according to research by the Brookings Institution think tank.

— tom odula, The Seattle Times, "Group warns that Kenya may use cybersecurity surveillance," 5 July 2017
BDSM is absolutely NOT about causing someone harm or pain who doesn’t want pain inflicted upon them.

— gigi engle, Teen Vogue, "Consent and BDSM: What You Should Know," 1 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inflict.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of inflict

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

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First Known Use: 1566

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INFLICT Defined for English Language Learners

inflict

play

verb

Definition of inflict for English Language Learners

: to cause someone to experience or be affected by (something unpleasant or harmful)

INFLICT Defined for Kids

inflict

play

verb in·flict \ in-ˈflikt \

Definition of inflict for Students

inflicted; inflicting

1 :to give by or as if by striking

inflict a wound

2 :to cause to be put up with

… you endure the boredom that doctors and dentists inflict on their patients before bringing them in …
—Lemony Snicket, The Ersatz Elevator

Learn More about inflict

See words that rhyme with inflict Spanish Central: Translation of inflict Nglish: Translation of inflict for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of inflict for Arabic speakers

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inflict

Definition of inflict

inflicter

inflictive

Examples of inflict in a Sentence

Recent Examples of inflict from the Web

Origin and Etymology of inflict

INFLICT Defined for English Language Learners

inflict

Definition of inflict for English Language Learners

INFLICT Defined for Kids

inflict

Definition of inflict for Students

Learn More about inflict

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Definition of inflict

inflicter

inflictive

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Examples of inflict in a Sentence

Recent Examples of inflict from the Web

Origin and Etymology of inflict

INFLICT Defined for English Language Learners

inflict

Definition of inflict for English Language Learners

INFLICT Defined for Kids

inflict

Definition of inflict for Students

Learn More about inflict

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