Synonyms of afflicts

afflicts

verb

present tense third-person singular of afflict

as in plagues

to cause persistent suffering to

the South was afflicted by a severe drought

he's been afflicted by nightmares ever since the accident

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plagues
• persecutes
• tortures
• besieges
• besets
• bedevils
• bothers
• torments
• attacks
• curses
• agonizes
• troubles
• anguishes
• stings
• harrows
• racks
• disturbs
• overwhelms
• strikes
• assails
• pursues
• aggravates
• annoys
• vexes
• irritates
• oppresses
• excruciates
• exasperates
• harasses
• irks
• distresses
• perturbs
• hurts
• victimizes
• grieves
• pesters
• molests
• agitates
• riles
• tries
• disquiets
• worries
• tyrannizes
• upsets
• harries
• smites
• overpowers
• chafes
• stresses
• rides
• dogs
• hounds
• piques
• bugs
• flusters
• badgers
• stabs
• galls
• gripes
• pains
• grates
• peeves
• discomforts
• puts out
• wrings
• crushes
• gets
• nettles
• discomposes
• pricks
• rasps
• strains
• pangs
• martyrs
• smarts
• hagrides

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• helps
• assists
• aids
• abets
• relieves
• delivers
• releases
• soothes
• contents
• quiets
• comforts
• consoles
• reprieves
• solaces
• succors

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of afflicts

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by a virus that primarily and most severely afflicts children. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025

Although there have been recent breakthroughs in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, no medication has succeeded in stopping or reversing the disease that afflicts more than 7 million Americans, a number projected to reach almost 13 million by 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025

And the same problem afflicts electronic cigarettes, which have been blowing up in people’s faces sporadically. —Weiyang Li, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Aug. 2018