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

In 2010, Fidesz, assisted in part by the bruises inflicted by the global financial crisis, won a sweeping parliamentary majority. —Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026

Few of its missiles and drones inflicted physical damage throughout Israel and the Arab world. —Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026

Authorities arrested Jazya Muldrow-Green, 20, in connection with that case and charged her with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2026

Recent strikes have inflicted significant damage on energy infrastructure in the region, with a recent attack wiping out 17% of output at Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG plants, damage that would take years to recover. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 8 Apr. 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