Synonyms of inflict

inflict

verb

as in to impose

to cause someone to accept or experience something unwanted

The criminal inflicted a lifetime of distress on his unsuspecting victims.

Related Words

• impose
• create
• force
• bring
• induce
• generate
• entail
• wish
• produce
• invoke
• thrust
• effectuate
• make
• spawn
• beget
• bring about
• result (in)
• prompt
• bring on
• foist
• compel
• coerce
• palm
• pass off
• palm off
• fob off

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inflict

Ukraine’s extensive use of low-cost drones and loitering munitions has shown that relatively cheap platforms can inflict significant damage while forcing opponents to spend costly interceptor missiles and air-defense resources. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 11 July 2026

Tah missed Germany’s first sudden-death effort before player of the match Jose Canale fittingly sent Paraguay through, inflicting Germany’s first penalty shootout defeat at a World Cup. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 11 July 2026

The judge dismissed McManus’ claims that Bojangles managers intentionally and negligently inflicted emotional distress and dismissed part of her claim that was based on North Carolina state law. — Julia Coin july 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026

Two men and three boys, ages 15, 16 and 17, allegedly attacked a man as a group, knocking him unconscious and inflicting what were described as life-threatening injuries. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 9 July 2026