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 finding, drawn from a study linking survey data on borrower beliefs to credit bureau records, puts a precise number on the financial damage inflicted by years of government policy whiplash on student debt. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 17 June 2026

That would be a huge win for polluters, worth $60-$200 million, and they would not be held accountable for the damage already inflicted on us. —Chris Hartmann, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026

To the degradation inflicted by time and nature's tentacles were added NATO bombings. —Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026

Yet residents who have cautiously returned to Nabatieh have expressed dismay at the huge damage Israel inflicted on the city's neighborhoods and its famed market, where the roofing had collapsed and shops were devastated. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 June 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