as in troubled
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as in plagued
to cause persistent suffering to
the South was afflicted by a severe drought he's been afflicted by nightmares ever since the accident
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Recent Examples of afflicted
David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 12 June 2022
For nearly five years, the lingering hope of the pundit class (and, notably, the Biden campaign) was that the Trump fever would eventually burn itself out and those so afflicted would awake from its throes eager to be normal again.
—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 6 Jan. 2022
Regarding Cuba now, there seems to be an additional Russian objective: weakening U.S. and Canadian intelligence on the island by forcing the evacuation of afflicted spies and diplomatic personnel.
—Néstor T. Carbonell, National Review, 12 Apr. 2021
Some of the bikers pouring into the area are coming from distant states far more afflicted.
—CBS News, 10 Aug. 2020
Kroger officials said McMullen had planned to remove his mask for the event, which was not attended by Pence's afflicted press secretary Katie Miller who stayed in Washington.
—Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati.com, 11 May 2020
Symptoms of the illness are similar to pneumonia, although videos have been posted that purportedly show afflicted people collapsing on the street, bleeding from their mouths, and being treated by doctors wearing hazmat suits.
—Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner, 25 Jan. 2020
Mealy bugs can be a real problem, not just for the afflicted plant but for neighboring, healthy houseplants.
—Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2019
Making a compelling financial case to fight climate change and to help the most afflicted demands a rigorous accounting of its effects.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 9 Oct. 2018
Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Some babies died, and several of those who survived were afflicted with infections or long-term health problems, their mothers said.
—Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Roma have not had a regular goalscorer since Tammy Abraham’s knee injury in 2023 and even then, the Englishman was afflicted by second-season syndrome.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Daniel de Visé Fourteen Spanish citizens who were on the cruise ship afflicted with a hantavirus outbreak have arrived home in Spain.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Once diagnosed, pancreatic cancer has been a death sentence for those afflicted in the vast majority of cases.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
In 1602, she was afflicted by a slew of symptoms, such as convulsions, fits, and terrors.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Once diagnosed, pancreatic cancer has been a death sentence for those afflicted in the vast majority of cases.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
In a dense, lush lawn of a grass type that does well in your climate, weeds are less likely to take hold than in a sparse, struggling lawn afflicted by drought, pests, and diseases.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The afflicted man instead went to a Dawson hospital, where he was fed only raw potatoes and charged $10 a day for the privilege.
—David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 12 June 2022
For nearly five years, the lingering hope of the pundit class (and, notably, the Biden campaign) was that the Trump fever would eventually burn itself out and those so afflicted would awake from its throes eager to be normal again.
—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 6 Jan. 2022
Regarding Cuba now, there seems to be an additional Russian objective: weakening U.S. and Canadian intelligence on the island by forcing the evacuation of afflicted spies and diplomatic personnel.
—Néstor T. Carbonell, National Review, 12 Apr. 2021
Some of the bikers pouring into the area are coming from distant states far more afflicted.
—CBS News, 10 Aug. 2020
Kroger officials said McMullen had planned to remove his mask for the event, which was not attended by Pence's afflicted press secretary Katie Miller who stayed in Washington.
—Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati.com, 11 May 2020
Symptoms of the illness are similar to pneumonia, although videos have been posted that purportedly show afflicted people collapsing on the street, bleeding from their mouths, and being treated by doctors wearing hazmat suits.
—Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner, 25 Jan. 2020
Mealy bugs can be a real problem, not just for the afflicted plant but for neighboring, healthy houseplants.
—Adrian Higgins, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2019
Making a compelling financial case to fight climate change and to help the most afflicted demands a rigorous accounting of its effects.
—Umair Irfan, Vox, 9 Oct. 2018
Verb
Nelson’s grandmother was afflicted with dementia at the time of first reading the novel while Miller Rogen’s mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s at just 55 years old.
—Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 13 May 2026
Some babies died, and several of those who survived were afflicted with infections or long-term health problems, their mothers said.
—Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 13 May 2026
Roma have not had a regular goalscorer since Tammy Abraham’s knee injury in 2023 and even then, the Englishman was afflicted by second-season syndrome.
—James Horncastle, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Daniel de Visé Fourteen Spanish citizens who were on the cruise ship afflicted with a hantavirus outbreak have arrived home in Spain.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Once diagnosed, pancreatic cancer has been a death sentence for those afflicted in the vast majority of cases.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026
In 1602, she was afflicted by a slew of symptoms, such as convulsions, fits, and terrors.
—Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026
Once diagnosed, pancreatic cancer has been a death sentence for those afflicted in the vast majority of cases.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
In a dense, lush lawn of a grass type that does well in your climate, weeds are less likely to take hold than in a sparse, struggling lawn afflicted by drought, pests, and diseases.
—Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflicted
Adjective
-
Rotterdam, Netherlands — The cruise ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak has docked at the Dutch port of Rotterdam for disinfection, wrapping up a troubled journey that put international health authorities on alert.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
New owners run into the messy realities of unexpected occupants, legal complications and economic challenges that can keep the troubled parcels stuck in limbo and drag down surrounding neighborhoods.—
Graham Womack
May 18,
Sacbee.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Her excuse was that the robbery was a sign that Preston was plagued by bad luck.—
Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Despite that underlying tension, kids play on the street outside while the large family has a dynamic like any other — noisily squabbling, joking, or in the case of the matriarchal grandmother, Mariam (Hiam Abbass), preparing a meal in a kitchen plagued by constant utility outages.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
When hunted, poisoned, and persecuted, the coyotes scattered and regrouped, their numbers surging a hundred-fold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
-
Other human rights lawyers have been recently prosecuted in Russia, including Maria Bontsler, a prominent lawyer who defended individuals persecuted by politically motivated charges.—
Irwin Cotler,
Time,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Oscar Mike Foundation is dedicated to helping disabled veterans live a more fulfilling life.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
-
The legislation would apply only to veterans who became disabled as a result of their military service.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
In 2017, the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission determined ther was credible evidence that Day was tortured into a false confession.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
-
On the device was a recording lasting over seven hours that allegedly captured the sound of Torbick being tortured, prosecutors reportedly said.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
So, in retrospect, [the entire Lightning project] looked pretty feeble.—
Jamie Lincoln Kitman,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
-
His visit also comes as the committee stalls on advancing Casey Means, Kennedy’s nominee for surgeon general, over her lack of medical practice experience and feeble answers on the importance of vaccination.—
Daniel Payne,
STAT,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Over the years, we were constantly besieged with inquiries.—
Gillian Telling,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
-
His most recent drama, Evil Does Not Exist, examined the natural world as besieged by modern industry.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Earlier this month, Nancy Guthrie, the elderly and infirm mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was violently taken from her home in Tucson, Arizona.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The four Democratic members of the JBC, which controls the state budget, asked with growing consternation why the Department of Corrections hadn’t brought them a plan to address overcrowding, to step up releases of old and infirm inmates, or to improve its own shortcomings.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Afflicted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflicted. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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