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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of affliction
Ancient foes Lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis are centuries-old afflictions.
—
Philip Budge, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
And then, these afflictions can lead to a life-or-death struggle.
—Jayme Moye, Outside, 5 Mar. 2026
Despite their reputation as a cold-weather affliction, chapped lips can strike year-round and at any time of day—and our favorite formulas are up to the challenge.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
According to Champ, a glass mosaic will suffer from these afflictions with the double whammy of making your kitchen also appear outdated.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Philip Budge, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
And then, these afflictions can lead to a life-or-death struggle.
—Jayme Moye, Outside, 5 Mar. 2026
Despite their reputation as a cold-weather affliction, chapped lips can strike year-round and at any time of day—and our favorite formulas are up to the challenge.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 2 Mar. 2026
According to Champ, a glass mosaic will suffer from these afflictions with the double whammy of making your kitchen also appear outdated.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
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When Hilton faced distress, Blackstone had to restructure the hotel’s debt in 2010.—
Luisa Beltran,
Sportico.com,
18 Mar. 2026
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The plaintiffs are asking the court for damages for emotional distress and other harms caused by the images.—
Huo Jingnan,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Yet the ballads are also strong, conveying palpable sorrow as the family members figure up their losses.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
19 Mar. 2026
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The murders magnified the terror and sorrow emanating from thousands of anti-Asian attacks arising in the months preceding.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Jessie Buckley broke the Chanel curse on Sunday while winning for her leading role in Hamnet.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
18 Mar. 2026
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The family curse was alive and well.—
Jennifer Wolfgram,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Before exorcizing their demons from tournaments past.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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Her character inherited the mission of destroying vampires and other demons from her town of Sunnydale, which was built on a gateway to the realm of the demons.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That said, slow running aligns with the zone 2 cardio trend, which promises ample cardiovascular benefit, plus minimized injury risk.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
20 Mar. 2026
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Detroit captain Dylan Larkin missed his sixth consecutive game due to a lower-body injury.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Movie night meant a trip to the video store, and every household knew the agony of forgetting to rewind before returning a rental.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
20 Mar. 2026
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The celebrated poet and memoirist, delves into the agonies of her decision and describes the emerging women’s liberation movement, of which Moore would soon become a participant.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And while fans and teammates have embraced their former nemesis, his recent streak of three goals in two games have also produced memories of past April anguish.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
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Reinhart’s character, having woken up inside the ship, grapples with moments of doubt and anguish throughout the music video.—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Related Stories Essiedu is set to play potions master Snape — one of Potter’s nemeses — in the upcoming streaming adaptation, a role previously played by Alan Rickman.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2026
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And while fans and teammates have embraced their former nemesis, his recent streak of three goals in two games have also produced memories of past April anguish.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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