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
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
One key focus of these efforts should address the deficiencies afflicting the market for biologics, which are medicines made or derived from biological processes.
—Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
To be sure, this rash of robberies pales in comparison with the crime levels afflicting less affluent neighborhoods on the South and West sides.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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
One key focus of these efforts should address the deficiencies afflicting the market for biologics, which are medicines made or derived from biological processes.
—Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
To be sure, this rash of robberies pales in comparison with the crime levels afflicting less affluent neighborhoods on the South and West sides.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflicting
Adjective
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Past disasters have left a painful mark for many, but they’re connected by strong community ties and have come together at vigils to honor and pray for the victims.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
-
But the film is most moving in its quieter moments, when the longest and most painful goodbye mellows into something like acceptance, tinged with gratitude for the moments that remain to be lived.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Intensely creepy and increasingly unhinged, Alejandro Amenábar’s supernatural chiller owes much to Kidman’s unwavering commitment as a distressed, shotgun-wielding mother trying to protect her children from the hauntings plaguing their remote country house in ’40s Jersey.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
8 Oct. 2025
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Ferrari is unable to address the issue plaguing its cars, while other teams brought in timely upgrades in recent weeks that seemed to have helped enhance performance, such as Mercedes and Red Bull.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Never use bleach to clean the toilet tank as this harsh chemical can damage the tank's interior and lead to faster corrosion.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
11 Oct. 2025
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Except, much like the prison scenes, Kiss of the Spider Woman‘s reality ends up being much harsher than the fantasy.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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For 25 years, Chavism has co-opted Venezuela's infrastructure for its own enrichment, persecuting journalists and opposition, wrecking the economy, and leaving its citizens in poverty.—
Kristina Foltz,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This culture is incredibly cruel, and things have gotten really obscene.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
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Supporters of the new laws praised the legislation as a major step toward ending cruel breeding practices and protecting consumers.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Afflicting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflicting. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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