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 As scrutiny on the harm inflicted on children by AI firms intensifies, advocates are hoping that firms will fine-tune models to block all nudity. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026 In Quiché, one of Guatemala’s poorest departments, Gerardi became more exposed to the violence inflicted by the country’s ongoing civil war. — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 July 2026 What the data reveals is less about the Zillennials’ advantage than about the damage inflicted on their cohort neighbors. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026 The attacks have inflicted lasting damage that will be costly to fix. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 The degree of severity in punishment for violators varies based on the type of force used and the amount of property damage inflicted. — Matthew Kelly july 1, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026 The war has inflicted staggering losses on Russia's young men. — Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 29 June 2026 However, experts caution the situation isn’t so simple, and while Ukraine has inflicted tangible damage, Russian resilience and logistical limitations mean the campaign has yet to pass into decisive territory. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2026 Tumuli across the Sardis landscape have been damaged by farming and natural erosion, while increasingly sophisticated looters have inflicted further destruction. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflicted
  1. imposed
  2. created
  3. forced
  4. brought
Verb
  • In response, Britain imposed the punitive Coercive Acts (1774), closing Boston Harbour and stripping Massachusetts of self-governance.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 July 2026
  • Writing for the conservative majority, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the restrictions imposed a significant burden on political expression and argued that lifting them could strengthen the role of political parties in elections.
    — David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2026
Definition of imposed
Verb
  • The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • Some were finely cut feathers; others, more surprisingly, were denim in various washes that created a kind of dimensional pointillist effect unlike anything else photographed on the red steps of the Palais.
    — Amy Verner, Vogue, 6 July 2026
Definition of created
Verb
  • Crew members of a container vessel reported damaged near the Strait of Hormuz were forced to abandon ship, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Center said in a separate statement.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
  • In his view, that defiance forced the GOP to take extreme measures and go it alone.
    — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 12 July 2026
Definition of forced
Verb
  • Electing to keep his No 5 on the field, the Brazil head coach made a subtle tactical tweak that saw Endrick enter the action and brought Matheus Cunha further to the left flank — which unlocked the attacking prowess of Vinicius Junior.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 6 July 2026
  • An inside source revealed on Sunday that the couple's vows brought Kelce to tears.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 6 July 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 12 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on inflicted

Nglish: Translation of inflicted for Spanish Speakers

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