1
as in distresses
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 curses
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
3
4
as in injuries
something that causes loss or pain
cronyism and corruption are afflictions on the body politic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of afflictions
Neither the dangerously rampant mental health afflictions among military folk nor the dehumanization and exploitation of undocumented people have gone unexplored in American cinema.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
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
See treasures Both afflictions can be caused by a combination of environmental factors and malnutrition, and were not altogether uncommon during the time period this toddler lived.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Paradoxically, these efforts sometimes undermine their own goals, concealing, and at times exacerbating, the afflictions of the most vulnerable.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Now, the two pair their boundary-less creative freedom and turn it toward providing a mirror to modern-day afflictions, on this brooding look at mental health and depression.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
Among multiple other afflictions Levine expects are vitamin deficiencies, starvation, dramatic weight loss, vision problems due to a lack of sunlight, broken bones, cognitive impairment and mental health trauma.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Loneliness and social isolation are often discussed as afflictions of the aging process.
—Erin Lowry, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Dec. 2024
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 31 Aug. 2025
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
See treasures Both afflictions can be caused by a combination of environmental factors and malnutrition, and were not altogether uncommon during the time period this toddler lived.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Paradoxically, these efforts sometimes undermine their own goals, concealing, and at times exacerbating, the afflictions of the most vulnerable.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Now, the two pair their boundary-less creative freedom and turn it toward providing a mirror to modern-day afflictions, on this brooding look at mental health and depression.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
Among multiple other afflictions Levine expects are vitamin deficiencies, starvation, dramatic weight loss, vision problems due to a lack of sunlight, broken bones, cognitive impairment and mental health trauma.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2025
Loneliness and social isolation are often discussed as afflictions of the aging process.
—Erin Lowry, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflictions
Noun
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As rocks and curses flew from the street, bullets spat from the middle window on the south side of the house.—
Neal Rubin,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Seth was given the job to create a list of curses and a list of clean words that Steve could shout.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But behind this battle royale lies a deadly conspiracy that forces them to face off against each other and the demons of their past.—
Aaron Couch,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Having been beaten by Iga Świątek in a historically dominant fashion in the Wimbledon final, Anisimova banished some of those demons by beating the Polish star in the quarterfinals to advance to the final four.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Their starting quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a left shoulder and toe injuries during the 49ers 17-13 Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Kirk, a father of two, was rushed to the hospital following the shooting, but later died of his injuries.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The polarising billionaire had spent only a few hours in prison upon his return from 15 years of self-exile in August 2023 before he was hospitalised after complaining of heart trouble and chest pains, prompting widespread scepticism and public outrage.—
Panarat Thepgumpanat,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
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And the Zoned Lumbar Support offers focused support for your lower back, ensuring proper spinal alignment and reducing pressure on your lumbar region, helping to alleviate aches and pains.—
Sherrie Nachman,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The threats are sometimes even leveled against family members.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Looking at the depth chart, the Eagles now have three threats coming out of the backfield.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The violence, however, is nothing compared to the overall creature effects with the show’s new cast of extraterrestrial terrors.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Less accomplished drivers experiencing one of Renault’s tiny terrors (nearly a foot shorter than the original Mazda Miata) for the first time will be delighted, but soon realize that the car’s close-ratio gearbox demands that the engine be revved, and turbo lag comes along for every ride.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The judge declined to grant substantial monetary damages to the husband, however.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
10 Sep. 2025
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The complaint says McNeil suffered a range of injuries from the incident, including a concussion, and seeks $200,000 in damages.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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One of the harms and dangers facing the country is precisely this state of 'no war, no peace,' which is not good.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
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Those not chronically online might instinctively recoil at the term brain rot, with its vaguely gory connotations, especially as concern about the potential harms of social media for adolescents mounts.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Fortune,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Afflictions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflictions. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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