as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
the afflicting sight of so many earthquake victims was too much even for some hardened rescue workers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in plaguing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of afflicting
Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Domestic violence is a painful reality afflicting too many households in this country, which makes the words and actions of the current administration so egregious and hurtful.
—Gwen Moore, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Jewelry companies have begun raising the alarm over possible price increases afflicting already-weary consumers.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The bears’ behavior is also affected by climate change — for example, the megadrought currently afflicting this region.
—Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025
These dreadful stomach and bowel cancers are increasingly afflicting young men who are ever more often being taken from us so cruelly, so early.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
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
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
That’s changing this year, as three Democratic governors announced new initiatives aimed at addressing disparities afflicting boys and men.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
The isotopes can remain in the environment years after testing, afflicting those exposed with cancers including lung, leukemia, lymphoma, thyroid and breast, the paper says.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
Domestic violence is a painful reality afflicting too many households in this country, which makes the words and actions of the current administration so egregious and hurtful.
—Gwen Moore, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Jewelry companies have begun raising the alarm over possible price increases afflicting already-weary consumers.
—J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2025
The bears’ behavior is also affected by climate change — for example, the megadrought currently afflicting this region.
—Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025
These dreadful stomach and bowel cancers are increasingly afflicting young men who are ever more often being taken from us so cruelly, so early.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Oct. 2025
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
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
That’s changing this year, as three Democratic governors announced new initiatives aimed at addressing disparities afflicting boys and men.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflicting
Adjective
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Ember Leonara, 36, tells Rolling Stone that coming out as transgender this year led to painful rifts in her life.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
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But the track record is mixed—SoftBank’s backing of WeWork ended in a high-profile collapse, and the premature exit from Nvidia has become a painful reminder of opportunities lost.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Both cases are apt to serve as models for how to prevent the kind of school shootings still plaguing the nation and could set legal precedent for who shoulders the blame when children have access to guns and open fire on campus.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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The Live With Kelly and Mark talk show hostess seemingly hasn't known peace on the scariest day of the year for quite some time, but not because of ghosts and ghoulies plaguing her — but, rather, ungrateful neighbors who consistently complain about her Halloween candy.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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There's a lot of harsh words and harsh things that get said about people.—
Ryan Canfield,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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Applying it at the base of the plant before the first frost can protect the roots from harsh cold and keep the soil from freezing.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Trump has repeatedly alleged that the South African government is actively persecuting white citizens, particularly farmers.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That is unacceptably cruel, corrupt, and undemocratic.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Instead, she was stripped of her bronze medal after a late score inquiry—a ruling that still feels cruel for an athlete who had delivered the performance of her life.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Afflicting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflicting. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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