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

Researchers estimate that postpartum psychosis — which is more serious and less common than postpartum depression — afflicts 1 to 2 per 1,000 women after delivery. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

That means protections for those who have been vaccinated will weaken and wane as the disease afflicts those who haven’t, threatening public health as a whole. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026

Advertisement Mission hijacking in the nonprofit space A similar overcrowding afflicts the pro-democracy space today. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026

These men have arrived here on a wave of isolation that’s swept the country since the pandemic and afflicts boys and men of all ages. — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 27 June 2026

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by a virus that primarily and most severely afflicts children. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 8 June 2026

Consider osteoarthritis, which afflicts roughly 33 million Americans by gradually wearing down cartilage in the joints. — Bryan T. Kelly, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026

Cucumbers are also susceptible to powdery mildew, a problem that afflicts many zinnias. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026

The centuries-old pot-kettle idiom points out hypocrisy — as when one person accuses another of a flaw that afflicts himself. — George Skelton, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026