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 Cabbages are afflicted by cabbage webworms, cabbage white moths, cabbage loopers, and other worms. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 June 2025 When the antibody was injected into the retinas of mice afflicted with retinitis pigmentosa, the action of PROX1 was blocked, retinal regeneration was restored, and vision returned for a period of over six months. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 11 June 2025 Two hotels in the East Bay have tumbled into bankruptcy ahead of scheduled foreclosures, in a fresh sign that post-coronavirus maladies still afflict the feeble lodging markets in the Bay Area. George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 June 2025 The disconnection that afflicts this family is not just interpersonal but geopolitical. Sam Worley, Vulture, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for afflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflict
Verb
  • The last few projects have been plagued by delays and massive cost overruns.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025
  • Pachuca’s failure plagued Salzburg as well, with the Austrian side needing a boost after things turned for the worse against Real Madrid, only to be denied – despite their social media admin’s best pleas.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • With his penchant for menacing models, black-out contact lenses and jutting shoulders, Owens is also a forever torchbearer for different kinds of beauty, and a safe haven for people who feel persecuted for being outside the norm.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 25 June 2025
  • The regimes that persecute religious minorities are also the ones that oppress women, LGBTQ people, journalists, and dissidents.
    Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Afflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflict. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on afflict

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