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 Measles pneumonia afflicts about 1 in 20 children who get measles and is the most common cause of death from measles in young children. Peter Kasson, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025 Stanton has been afflicted with a calf muscle strain as well. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 2025 Protectionists presented tariffs as the essential policy to quicken the development of manufactures as well as a remedy to the social ills that afflicted the emerging industrial working class. Made By History, Time, 28 Apr. 2025 But the malady afflicting much of the Dodgers lineup seems to have infected the third baseman with a particularly virulent strain. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for afflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflict
Verb
  • Flanagan boys track coach Jessica Carter said the inclement weather which plagued the meet the entire weekend and forced the postponement of the 3A meet until Saturday posed problems for her boys team.
    Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2025
  • The last five years have brought back weaknesses that plagued Kohli early in his career as a brash but fiercely talented batter.
    Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • No truly advanced society persecutes animals for sport.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025
  • During its reign of terror, the Ustaše regime persecuted and murdered hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews and Roma, as well as Croatians opposed to their rule.
    Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Afflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflict. Accessed 18 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on afflict

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