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

Someone inflicted head and neck trauma on Octavio Arias that proved fatal, according to the medical examiner’s findings. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026

Jurors on Tuesday also found true the allegations that Moore intentionally discharged a firearm causing death, personally used a firearm and inflicted great bodily injury in the shootings. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026

But Escobedo quickly acknowledged that there’s nothing to stop the thieves from coming back, and inflicting the same harm. —Sam Blum, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026

In the end, Johnson relied on a combination of White House pressure, late-night negotiations and a reluctant coalition of Republicans and Democrats who agreed that prolonging the shutdown would inflict unnecessary harm on federal workers and the broader economy. —Nik Popli, Time, 3 Feb. 2026

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