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 15th year of that streak of futility was clinched Sunday with a 34-10 blowout loss to the Dolphins, a game in which the Jets had no option but to inflict an undrafted rookie quarterback from Missouri onto the sparse MetLife Stadium crowd — one that booed him after his first three-and-out. —Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2025

Lieberman pointed to how the psychological damage inflicted on Skakel likely impacted him in his adult life as his drinking eventually escalated. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 7 Dec. 2025

It was found that the frog was able to withstand not only the hornet's venom, but the physical pain inflicted by the sharp stinger as well, even to the point of having a stinger protrude through its mouth after snatching up the bug. —New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2025

Deer antlers and hooves can inflict serious injuries. —Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 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