1
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
she listened with deep affliction as her daughter told her about the latest trouble she was in
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sorrow
deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved
felt such great affliction over the destruction of the beautiful old home
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3
as in curse
a source of harm or misfortune
alcohol has been his affliction ever since he took his first drink at the age of 12
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in injury
something that causes loss or pain
cronyism and corruption are afflictions on the body politic
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affliction
Some of us have both of these afflictions, particularly beyond the age of 40-to-50.
—
Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 19 Aug. 2025
While untreated mental afflictions can now be addressed under state law, the same should be extended to folks suffering from addiction.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025
For this reason, middle age is often a time of crisis in the life of a perfectionist, though the affliction manifests at all ages.
—Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Would the same affliction not have affected Queen Elizabeth, who was 4 years older than Princess Margaret?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 19 Aug. 2025
While untreated mental afflictions can now be addressed under state law, the same should be extended to folks suffering from addiction.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Aug. 2025
For this reason, middle age is often a time of crisis in the life of a perfectionist, though the affliction manifests at all ages.
—Leslie Jamison, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025
Would the same affliction not have affected Queen Elizabeth, who was 4 years older than Princess Margaret?
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
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Brown, 36, has filed portions of his April deposition in the civil court matter as part of his new request that the judge strike the housekeeper’s claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress and punitive damages from her lawsuit.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Is an internalized fear of risk causing internal distress?—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This grim reality evokes a sense of sorrow and powerlessness among women in Paina Bujurg.—
Aishwarya S. Iyer,
CNN Money,
16 Oct. 2025
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Critics have hailed his performance’s blend of warmth, humor and sorrow.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Based on Gege Akutami’s manga, the film follows Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru, two sorcerers tasked with protecting Amanai Riko, a student chosen as the Star Plasma Vessel, while being pursued by curse users and a religious cult.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The Machine is both an old idea and a modern curse.—
Cal Revely-Calder,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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When their biggest demonic enemy (Lee Byung-hun) encourages the formation of an equally popular K-pop boy band aimed at stealing the souls of their fans, the trio has to fight harder than ever to hold the demons at bay while keeping their friendship intact.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
15 Oct. 2025
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His sudden loss is a terrible surprise, but his life was a monument to a drive stronger than the demons that beset genius.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Blaylock was charged with felony injury to a child with serious bodily injury, court records show.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Bronny James missed the Lakers' preseason finale against the Kings, listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Aches and pains don’t compare to the agony of an unrealized dream.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
13 Oct. 2025
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But this specific take on the agony and the, well, extra helping of agony that parenthood often feels like is all hers.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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It's been a consistently reliable genre in the decades since, pairing mental anguish and unreliable perspectives with nightmarish imagery and terrors that lie just beyond our perceptions.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
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Through his music, Carrillo transforms personal anguish into empowering anthems, elevating moments of silence into rich, melodic soundscapes and celebrating the beauty of struggle itself.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Like with your broody, next door neighbor nemesis, who might just be the key to finding your missing best friend.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
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Robbie was stabbed by his Dark Hearts nemesis Jayson (Sam Keeley) and ultimately bled out in the car as Tom (Mark Ruffalo) attempted to rush him to the hospital.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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