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

That charge also includes a special allegation for personally inflicting great bodily injury. —Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025

Authorities said the dog in the Creek Street incident was initially reported missing and then found with injuries that were likely inflicted by a coyote. —Neal Riley, CBS News, 19 Dec. 2025

The Family Stone haters will say this is a movie about a bunch of horrible people who all inflict that horror on each other. —Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 17 Dec. 2025

Six more criminal charges were filed in court on Monday, the Observer has reported, including felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury. —Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 16 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