inflicted; inflicting; inflicts
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
Mark Twain2
: afflict
Examples of inflict in a Sentence
These insects are capable of inflicting a painful sting.
Recent Examples on the Web
So far, Israel has inflicted significant but not total damage on Iran’s nuclear program.
—Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
Trump’s tough talk reflects increasing divisions within his base of support over the mass deportation push, which threatens to inflict significant damage on the U.S. economy, especially industries that rely on undocumented immigrants for a big share of their low-wage labor.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 16 June 2025
The Gulf War inflicted a staggering defeat on Saddam’s army, which once numbered over a million troops and had fought Iran to a standstill in enormous battles at the end of the Iran-Iraq War three years earlier.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Saturday’s event, according to an Army spokesperson, will cost between $25 million and $45 million, depending on how much damage the tanks inflict on D.C. roads.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
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Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2025
Trump’s tough talk reflects increasing divisions within his base of support over the mass deportation push, which threatens to inflict significant damage on the U.S. economy, especially industries that rely on undocumented immigrants for a big share of their low-wage labor.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 16 June 2025
The Gulf War inflicted a staggering defeat on Saddam’s army, which once numbered over a million troops and had fought Iran to a standstill in enormous battles at the end of the Iran-Iraq War three years earlier.
—Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025
Saturday’s event, according to an Army spokesperson, will cost between $25 million and $45 million, depending on how much damage the tanks inflict on D.C. roads.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflict. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
-ˈflik-shən
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