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

Furthermore, recent high-profile attacks are evidence that bad actors continue to target large, multinational suppliers whose outages inflict maximum financial damage across their extensive customer base. —Jim Deloach, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Aircraft loss, bases struck, and very uncertain reports on the amount of damage to military targets that the military has actually been able to inflict. —David Frum, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026

Rafael Nadal liked to inflict death by a thousand cuts, finding joy in hitting 14 grueling shots to set up the kill on the 15th. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 26 May 2026

The torture was inflicted on baby and adult monkeys. —Sofia Saric may 24, Miami Herald, 24 May 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