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
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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
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Recent Examples of afflicting
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
One of the strengths of the film is a precise visual design that alternates between distance and intimacy, with Caswill using the landscapes of her Alberta location to clearly and concisely express the sense of loneliness and isolation afflicting her heroine.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026
The statement did not include what skin condition requiring a prescription is afflicting Trump, but causes could include eczema, an allergic reaction caused by food or medication, shingles and others.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit has exposed alleged financial woes — including past-due tax returns — afflicting Martinez’s numerous businesses.
—Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Jan. 2026
But the overlap with unusually frigid temperatures afflicting Florida's Space Coast and the rest of the country have turned Crew-12's launch opportunities into an intricate dance around Artemis 2.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Their bread-and-butter is comforting the most comfortable by afflicting the most afflicted.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Osula is out with a foot injury which has been afflicting him for most of the season.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Other geopolitical threats afflicting OPEC+ nations continue to simmer.
—Grant Smith, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
There’s the one about afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 13 Mar. 2026
One of the strengths of the film is a precise visual design that alternates between distance and intimacy, with Caswill using the landscapes of her Alberta location to clearly and concisely express the sense of loneliness and isolation afflicting her heroine.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2026
The statement did not include what skin condition requiring a prescription is afflicting Trump, but causes could include eczema, an allergic reaction caused by food or medication, shingles and others.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
The lawsuit has exposed alleged financial woes — including past-due tax returns — afflicting Martinez’s numerous businesses.
—Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Jan. 2026
But the overlap with unusually frigid temperatures afflicting Florida's Space Coast and the rest of the country have turned Crew-12's launch opportunities into an intricate dance around Artemis 2.
—Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Their bread-and-butter is comforting the most comfortable by afflicting the most afflicted.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Osula is out with a foot injury which has been afflicting him for most of the season.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Other geopolitical threats afflicting OPEC+ nations continue to simmer.
—Grant Smith, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflicting
Adjective
-
My ila facial was pure joy—no painful extraction or aggravating scrubs here.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Both seasons were painfully funny (often just painful), but the humor sometimes got lost as time has proven even its most over-the-top bits eerily correct.—
Jennifer Silverman,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Deeply troubled by the demographic and social problems plaguing the Nenets people, Nerkagi founded the Land of Hope—a tundra school for children which combines modern and traditional education and provides support to orphans and lonely elders.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
-
But since 2023, local municipalities have argued that the majority of ozone plaguing the cities is not their fault.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Unkind words and thoughts from your harshest critic (yourself) are all too common, especially for women, and their effects can diminish mood, confidence and self-esteem while positive ones can have the opposite impact.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
26 Mar. 2026
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Those forces may give the president more leverage in his negotiations, but also risk fueling Tehran's resentment and provoking a harsher response, analysts say.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But so often left unsaid by Gu are the moral ambiguities that come with choosing to represent a country that has been heavily criticized by Human Rights Watch, among other watchdog groups, for denying rights of freedom of expression and for persecuting government critics.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2026
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The term refers to biblical passages in which Jesus described Jews in specific communities who were persecuting the early Christians.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some countries have laws administering what critics believe are cruel punishments or place undue restrictions on women and minorities.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 Mar. 2026
-
While Tony coddles his own bruised ego, there is clearly a greater reason for the cruel hijinks, which comes in the form of some significant cash.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Afflicting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflicting. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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