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

Attempting to assault a federal officer and inflict bodily injury is punishable by a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. —Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025

Jurors, who deliberated for about a day, also rejected sentencing enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury on his accusers. —City News Service, Oc Register, 25 June 2025

His wife claimed Walls-Kaufman inflicted a head injury upon her husband that led to his suicide by striking the cop with his own police baton. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 24 June 2025

The strike was carried out by B-2 stealth bombers using the Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP), a 15-ton bomb long been assessed as the only conventional munition capable of inflicting lasting damage to the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 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