inflicted

verb

past tense of inflict
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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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 inflicted While addiction spans every socioeconomic background, these advocates routinely turn a blind eye to the outsized destruction inflicted on vulnerable neighborhoods. — Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026 In Iraq, the United States inflicted a dozen years of punishing sanctions, intermittent bombing, and failed regime change and counterproliferation efforts, followed by the disastrous 2003 invasion and occupation, all at tremendous human cost. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 This was a non-destructive quake with no major damage inflicted. — New Atlas, 17 Aug. 2026 The champion faced a challenging opponent, as Garry forced him to work hard for seven takedowns and inflicted some facial damage. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Interestingly, there has been very little research on the effects inflicted on a wide-binary companion during such an event. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 14 Aug. 2026 The blogger suffered injuries that may have been inflicted with a knife, according to TMZ. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026 Even Corlys tries to negotiate for peace rather than see more devastation inflicted on soldiers and innocent people alike (not to mention the children Ormund lines around the city's gates as human shields). — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The horrors inflicted and the resilience of the Jewish people in the face of denial and cruelty would define the rest of the century. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflicted
  1. imposed
  2. created
  3. forced
  4. brought
Verb
  • Tokayev, who has sought to maintain a delicate balance between Moscow and the West since sanctions were imposed on Russia over the war in Ukraine, has justified the changes by citing the need for rapid decision-making in a fast-changing world.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Zelensky’s five-year term was originally expected to end in 2024, but elections in Ukraine have been postponed under martial law imposed following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
    — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of imposed
Verb
  • Rabble, an early Twitter employee, created Divine with backing from Twitter founder Jack Dorsey.
    — Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Elaine Paul said business has been difficult since the pandemic, but it’s been important to her to carry on the legacy her parents created.
    — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of created
Verb
  • The plant, which has not been identified for security reasons, was forced to close for four days because of the infiltration, the report said.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Within a mind-spinning eight months, Zori Timeless Hotel was born, cleverly converted from the old pension into four luxurious residences within the confines of strict planning regulations that forced them to use the existing space.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of forced
Verb
  • But Tehran remains defiant after nearly six months of war and has brought shipping to a virtual standstill in ⁠the Strait of Hormuz, refusing to allow unauthorized oil tankers to transit a waterway ​that ⁠is vital for global oil shipments.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Golesh brought not only his quarterback but his center and 10 more players from South Florida, And the defense returns some key starters.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of brought

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Cite this Entry

“Inflicted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflicted. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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