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

Then the Covid crisis hit and inflicted massive damage on the performing arts. —Diedrich Diederichsen, Artforum, 1 Dec. 2025

Patterson was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 28 Nov. 2025

The costume designer adds that those subtle perforations become deeper cuts only when Will begins to doubt his own abilities as a father, and inflicts damage of his own. —Elaina Patton, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025

The damage, likely inflicted by a space debris strike, made the Shenzhou 20 vehicle unfit to carry astronauts on the harrowing trip down through Earth's atmosphere, Chinese space officials determined. —Mike Wall, Space.com, 25 Nov. 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