afflict

Synonym Chooser

How is the word afflict different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of afflict are rack, torment, torture, and try. While all these words mean "to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear," afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

Where would rack be a reasonable alternative to afflict?

In some situations, the words rack and afflict are roughly equivalent. However, rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

When might torment be a better fit than afflict?

While in some cases nearly identical to afflict, torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

In what contexts can torture take the place of afflict?

The synonyms torture and afflict are sometimes interchangeable, but torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

When can try be used instead of afflict?

Although the words try and afflict have much in common, try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of afflict Whether the winner’s curse afflicts buyers in other countries remains an open question. Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025 However, Romo was seemingly afflicted with a malady that Prescott cannot inoculate himself against. Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025 Jewelry companies have begun raising the alarm over possible price increases afflicting already-weary consumers. J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2025 The bears’ behavior is also affected by climate change — for example, the megadrought currently afflicting this region. Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for afflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflict
Verb
  • The extravaganza was the first in years to enjoy the viewership on both TV and streaming that people come to expect of the event after a fallow period during which NBC was plagued by Asia time-slot challenges and the coronavirus pandemic, among other factors.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
  • When an unexpected event takes him back to his hometown, he is reunited with his mother and old friends but also confronted by the corruption that plagues his country, sparking a political awakening.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In Nazi Germany, transgender people were persecuted, barred from public life.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Blasphemy accusations have been used repeatedly to persecute Christians and other religious minorities in the country.
    Sean Nelson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Afflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflict. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on afflict

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