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
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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
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
In a confrontation with the Fantastic Four, Galactus reveals that long ago, he was cursed with this affliction and must destroy planets because of an undying hunger that now lives within him.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 25 July 2025
Some of the city's most impoverished communities also wrestle with the highest rates of afflictions like heart disease, and research suggests more tree canopy and green spaces can reduce these risks, in addition to benefiting stress levels and general quality of life.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
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
In a confrontation with the Fantastic Four, Galactus reveals that long ago, he was cursed with this affliction and must destroy planets because of an undying hunger that now lives within him.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 25 July 2025
Some of the city's most impoverished communities also wrestle with the highest rates of afflictions like heart disease, and research suggests more tree canopy and green spaces can reduce these risks, in addition to benefiting stress levels and general quality of life.
—Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
-
Get alerts if the system detects acute distress.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Just continue to watch for any signs of distress, and if something else develops, see a vet.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Neighbors and members of the community in Grand Blanc, Michigan, expressed shock and sorrow in interviews with Fox News Digital.—
Anders Hagstrom , Garrett Tenney,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Words cannot capture the depth of our sorrow for their loss.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The last of the old curses and the purest championship drought in the sport.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
After its patriarch’s mysterious death, the pharma family falls prey to an ancient curse.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But vanquishing his demons against the team for which his on-field struggles were most highly publicized would be a cathartic endeavor.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
However, he is born out of the same need to release music, to release the demons that are entering his brain.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Roundabouts help eliminate the types of crashes more likely to cause serious injuries or death.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Six were taken to area hospitals with injuries and were listed in stable condition Friday afternoon.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The agony is still fresh for Katie and Clarke Baker, whose 8-year-old daughter Mary Grace perished in the flooding.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
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The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, the camaraderie of being among other adults who left the house in full face paint.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Garner watches his anguish, with respect.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Although many questions remain, the few answers the Vaneks have, however tenuous, serve as an antidote to the anguish of never knowing.—
Ted Katauskas,
Outside,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Through Chapter Progression, players can recruit Blazkowicz alongside his nemesis, scientist Strasse, both available with zero perks.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Even Pep Guardiola, once Mourinho’s cultural nemesis, employed stymying tactics as his Manchester City side ended their game at Arsenal earlier this month with just 33 per cent of possession.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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