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

The highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease primarily and most severely afflicts children, with at least two pediatric deaths reported in 2025, according to reporting by USA TODAY. — Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Aug. 2026

It’s typically diagnosed in adults — only about five births each year are afflicted by the condition nationwide. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026

Weiss has since learned he and his uncles weren’t uniquely afflicted. — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

His grandmother had already died of kuru, a disease that mostly afflicted women and children. — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026