as in painful
causing or feeling bodily pain
the afflictive disease known as shingles is a reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox
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Recent Examples of afflictive
Perhaps this afflictive uncertainty can be redefined.
—
Krista Stevens, Longreads, 26 Apr. 2018
Krista Stevens, Longreads, 26 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflictive
Adjective
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But a child does not have the emotional or cognitive framework to process adult relationship details, especially the painful or blame-filled parts of a divorce.—
Jann Blackstone,
Boston Herald,
1 Mar. 2026
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Tendonectomy is less painful than onychectomy; a study from Cornell University found that 67 percent of cats resumed normal behavior three days after tendonectomy, compared with just 44 percent for onychectomy.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Green had missed Sunday’s game with a sore back, and after an uber-physical matchup against DeAndre Jordan, Derik Queen and the bulky Pelicans on Tuesday, the coaching staff decided to play it safe.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
26 Feb. 2026
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Unlock The Mystery Surrounding A Lone Mailbox Sticking out like a sore thumb along gently swaying sea oats and majestic sand dunes, the Wrightsville Beach Mailbox is a legendary character in this part of North Carolina.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And no matter what the ultimate tally, every individual is an aching, terrible loss.—
Arash Azizi,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
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The performance — nuanced, aching and full of soul — has re-energized her place in the industry, and as Oscar season builds momentum, Hudson finds herself back in the Oscar conversation.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
21 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Afflictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflictive. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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