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

In the coming centuries, what the world inflicts on Greenland will be reflected back on it; the melting of the Greenlandic ice sheet will inundate coastal areas from Dhaka to Mar-a-Lago. —Ben Taub, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

Since Israel’s bombing of Doha, the US has become more attuned to, and vocal about, the damage inflicted by the current Israeli government’s policies. —Faisal J. Abbas, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025

At a pivotal moment in the film, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) casts a spell on Fiyero in a desperate attempt to protect him from the pain and injury inflicted by the Wizard's henchmen. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Nov. 2025

Warrants for Bostic's arrest were issued for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill and inciting a riot. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 22 Nov. 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