inflict

as in to impose
to cause someone to accept or experience something unwanted The criminal inflicted a lifetime of distress on his unsuspecting victims.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inflict The suspect is believed to be around 6 feet tall, muscular and now has an injury to his left foot inflicted by the teen who fought back, according to KSBW. Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 26 May 2025 From his elevated perch, the shooter had inflicted undetected damage. Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025 But the polls suggest that at least some of his supporters did not vote for the kind of unfairness inflicted on Özturk, Abrego Garcia, and others. Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025 The families of the victims sought a public trial to prosecute executives and inflict steep financial penalties on Boeing. Joseph Zeballos-Roig, Quartz, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
Verb
  • Now that Trump has sidestepped Congress and claimed the right to impose tariffs at will, Woldenberg is taking on the White House directly.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
  • That gave the coaches at least an idea of how the two young linemen move on their feet without a defensive end imposing his weight, will and strength on them.
    Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025
  • For Marsh, a first-year coach, time is now essential to create solutions for his team.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • Despite Anna’s meticulous preparations, her intent to force confessions from the passengers and deliver them directly to authorities is immediately derailed when just hours into the trip one of her guests is murdered.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025
  • Whether that’s a trial site, a community center or the patient’s workplace, this model removes friction from both ends: Participants aren’t forced to travel, and sponsors don’t have to wait for overwhelmed sites to come online.
    Sonali Bloom, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • The primary, Sam Rashid, is a demanding man from Tampa who is bringing his entire family on vacation, including two adorable four-year-olds.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 June 2025
  • The entrepreneur was joined Kev Choice, Howard Wiley, Marcus Phillips, Dame Drummer, Martin Luther, Silk-E, DJ KMP, and more to bring the 11-track setlist to life.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.

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