Synonyms of afflict

afflict

verb

ə-ˈflikt 

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to

the South was afflicted by a severe drought

he's been afflicted by nightmares ever since the accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plague
• persecute
• besiege
• beset
• bedevil
• torture
• torment
• bother
• curse
• attack
• anguish
• agonize
• harrow
• trouble
• sting
• assail
• disturb
• rack
• aggravate
• overwhelm
• excruciate
• annoy
• strike
• oppress
• irritate
• vex
• pursue
• harass
• exasperate
• irk
• perturb
• molest
• distress
• hurt
• worry
• pester
• victimize
• agitate
• grieve
• discomfort
• smite
• try
• rile
• hound
• dog
• chafe
• discompose
• tyrannize
• overpower
• bug
• upset
• ride
• pain
• disquiet
• stab
• badger
• stress
• put out
• fluster
• pique
• gripe
• gall
• harry
• strain
• grate
• wring
• crush
• get
• nettle
• peeve
• smart
• prick
• rasp
• martyr
• hagride
• pang

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• help
• assist
• aid
• relieve
• deliver
• abet
• release
• soothe
• comfort
• quiet
• console
• content
• reprieve
• succor
• solace

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

Recent Examples of afflict

Those who dismissed intersectionality saw such policies as little more than allowing the disadvantaged to commit crimes without consequences to make up for past inequities, afflicting crime victims from the same disadvantaged communities. —John Scott Lewinski, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025

But Thomas was afflicted by health troubles on the 26-56 Nets last year. —Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

Americans live shorter lives than their European equivalents, McClatchy News reported in April, but the trend of stagnant life expectancy appears to be afflicting European nations the same, according to the study. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025

The World Health Organization states that in 2021 alone, nearly 57 million people were afflicted with some form of dementia. —Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025