as in imposed
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 inflicted
The damage inflicted on the UAE by Iran’s cheap Shahed drones has served as a wake-up call for the small Arab nation, exposing a gap in its air defense network.
—
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2026
The Americans had inflicted a significant cost on British forces, who suffered more than one hundred officers and a thousand regulars killed or wounded.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Indeed, as a sobering meditation on the physical and psychological violence inflicted upon women in relationships, the alt-pop tale could never be described as a crowd-pleaser.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
While the Tribune’s coverage was certainly powerful, we are reminded how those words also describe Chicagoans’ willingness to stand up to the many abuses inflicted on the city by this administration.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Last month, an Iranian government spokesperson estimated that US-Israeli strikes had inflicted $270 billion worth of damage.
—Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
The standoff at the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the US — Baghdad’s two dominant external power brokers — has already inflicted serious damage on Iraq.
—Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Iran inflicted severe damage on at least five major UAE facilities, including a drone strike that ignited fires at Ruwais, one of the world’s largest refineries, and another at the key Port of Fujairah oil export hub.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
The play, a British import by Mark Rosenblatt set in the summer of 1983, focuses on a moment of crisis that Dahl has inflicted on himself.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 13 May 2026
The Americans had inflicted a significant cost on British forces, who suffered more than one hundred officers and a thousand regulars killed or wounded.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Indeed, as a sobering meditation on the physical and psychological violence inflicted upon women in relationships, the alt-pop tale could never be described as a crowd-pleaser.
—Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 11 May 2026
While the Tribune’s coverage was certainly powerful, we are reminded how those words also describe Chicagoans’ willingness to stand up to the many abuses inflicted on the city by this administration.
—Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
Last month, an Iranian government spokesperson estimated that US-Israeli strikes had inflicted $270 billion worth of damage.
—Jennifer Hansler, CNN Money, 7 May 2026
The standoff at the Strait of Hormuz between Iran and the US — Baghdad’s two dominant external power brokers — has already inflicted serious damage on Iraq.
—Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Iran inflicted severe damage on at least five major UAE facilities, including a drone strike that ignited fires at Ruwais, one of the world’s largest refineries, and another at the key Port of Fujairah oil export hub.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
The play, a British import by Mark Rosenblatt set in the summer of 1983, focuses on a moment of crisis that Dahl has inflicted on himself.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflicted
Verb
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But China sees a transparency issue in the way the rates are imposed, asserting that the carriers are violating filing regulations.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
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Rwandan President Paul Kagame said US sanctions imposed on his military will not alter Kigali’s stance over eastern DR Congo, dismissing the restrictions as a cost of pursuing national interests.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
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No one person has incited violence, created divisions and preached hatred more than the current resident of the White House.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
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Northern India already has some of the world’s most polluted air, created by a toxic mix of vehicle and industrial emissions, crop residue burning, and construction dust.—
Ayushi Shah,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
Verb
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In the end, Erik Heil and the Germans closed to within a boat length at the final turning mark, and Botin was forced to execute a high-pressure tack to stay ahead and claim second.—
Andrew Rice,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Under the map, Cleaver would be forced to campaign in a district that stretches east from Troost Avenue to the rural cities and towns spread across central Missouri.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 May 2026
Verb
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Lei Ying Lee, Xia Brookside rivalry heats up Lei Ying Lee brought the TNA Knockouts Championship back home last week with a win over Arianna Grace.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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During my lifetime there have been 55 years in which my country has engaged in prolonged and endless conflicts or wars, few of which have brought a decisive victory.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflicted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflicted. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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