as in painful
causing or feeling bodily pain
the afflictive disease known as shingles is a reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Although the condition itself isn’t typically painful, raw or blistered skin can lead to pain and swelling.7 Secondary skin infections—like if a blister is exposed to bacteria and gets infected—can also cause painful symptoms.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Once tooth enamel is lost, the tooth nerves are exposed, which is painful and makes the teeth sensitive.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
These natural springs are magnesium, salt, and potassium-rich, which have the properties of relieving sore muscles, enhancing the flow of blood, and benefiting skin, and make the person relax deeply.—
Shelby Knick,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Moncada can’t currently hit right-handed because of limitations with his sore right knee, so that answers the question on some days.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In this aching, unorthodox historical drama, Davies tells the story of the pacifist poet and veteran Siegfried Sassoon, whose experiences fighting in the First World War forever transformed him.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
5 Aug. 2025
-
Braxton shares an aching need to be vulnerable only to realize by album’s end that such unions can result in horrible betrayal, her words of lament surrounded by swelling, lush orchestration.—
Clarence A. Haynes
July 3,
Literary Hub,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Afflictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflictive. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share