as in to impose
to cause someone to accept or experience something unwanted
The criminal inflicted a lifetime of distress on his unsuspecting victims.
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Recent Examples of inflict
In her first interview since then, Savannah Guthrie also described the pain inflicted on her family by the unresolved case.
—
Bill Chappell, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
So far the offensive has made little progress, while Ukraine’s military has claimed to have inflicted disastrous casualties on Russian forces.
—Abc News, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Despite the horrors inflicted upon women by Gilead, the message is one of hope.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Ukraine has been developing its capability to inflict damage far beyond the front lines.
—Olivier Kempf, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Bill Chappell, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
So far the offensive has made little progress, while Ukraine’s military has claimed to have inflicted disastrous casualties on Russian forces.
—Abc News, ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
Despite the horrors inflicted upon women by Gilead, the message is one of hope.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 24 Mar. 2026
Meanwhile, Ukraine has been developing its capability to inflict damage far beyond the front lines.
—Olivier Kempf, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
Verb
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Hill noted that smaller businesses are acutely feeling the effects of tariffs imposed by the federal government on goods and products.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
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For instance, disputes over the HOA’s authority to impose certain assessments can delay the resolution of financial issues, leaving homeowners uncertain about how to resolve their financial liabilities.—
Gary Singer,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
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Blowing up buildings doesn’t help build a mass movement or create momentum for lasting change.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The other key will be avoiding turnovers, as South Carolina is forcing more than 18 per game.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
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Soft, adjustable lighting, outdoor rain showers with peepholes framing the scenery, incredibly comfy poolside daybeds, super-crisp sheets, open-plan bathrooms with capacious closets—everything works, but nothing feels forced or superfluous.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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As Los Angeles County activists continue their search for the suspect or suspects who have shot multiple alley cats in South Los Angeles with a BB gun, PETA has offered a $5,000 reward in hopes of bringing the crimes to a stop.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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This brings the total to five Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon since the conflict with Hezbollah reignited after the militant group fired rockets into Israel on March 2.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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