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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inflict
Unfortunately, this increase wasn’t enough to undo all the harm inflicted by decades of chronic disinvestment.
—
Cordell Cleare, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
Ricardo Antunez Villalba pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon, both felonies, and admitted sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a deadly weapon and inflicting great bodily injury on the victim.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 2026
Unfortunately, Starmer’s Labour government seems bent on inflicting even harsher blows very soon.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
There are no limits to the carnage Iran’s government is willing to inflict on its people to maintain its power.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Cordell Cleare, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
Ricardo Antunez Villalba pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon, both felonies, and admitted sentencing enhancements for the personal use of a deadly weapon and inflicting great bodily injury on the victim.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 2 Mar. 2026
Unfortunately, Starmer’s Labour government seems bent on inflicting even harsher blows very soon.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026
There are no limits to the carnage Iran’s government is willing to inflict on its people to maintain its power.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
Verb
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Section 122, which has never been invoked, allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15%.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
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The law limits the ability of local jurisdictions, including cities like Rocklin, to impose certain restrictions on bicycle use.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
5 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.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2026
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As of this January, more than 70% of Palisades residents displaced by the fire had still not returned to their homes, according to a survey commissioned by the Department of Angels, a nonprofit created by the California Community Foundation and SNAP Inc.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) celebrates with defenseman Sam Rinzel (6) and center Ryan Donato (8) after scoring a goal to force overtime late in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Dallas.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
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Jaxson Hayes and Marcus Smart helped spearhead a strong defensive effort that held New York to less than 100 points and forced eight key turnovers late in the game.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Divers have to carefully chisel each coral from the seabed by hand and bring it to the surface, which takes a lot of time and labor.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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The two brought some soulful rumination on catered snacks and beautiful women with big foreheads.—
Omar L. Gallaga,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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