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
Bessent’s team will assess conditions in Gulf countries and request estimates of the cost of repairing damage inflicted by Iran since the start of the conflict.
—
Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has directed his team to assess conditions among US allies in the region and request comprehensive estimates of the costs associated with repairing damage inflicted by Tehran since the start of the conflict, the official said.
—Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Fortune, 7 June 2026
Signs of the terror the Night Stalker inflicted on Southern Californians in the 1980s still remain intact today.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026
The source said the Treasury intends to utilize all available authorities to make Iranian assets accessible for rebuilding and repair efforts related to any future damage inflicted by Iran.
—Richard Escobedo, CBS News, 6 June 2026
The presidential search secrecy law, one of the most damaging changes ever inflicted on Florida’s public records laws, was a Republican bill enacted on largely party-line votes in both houses.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2026
The torture was inflicted on baby and adult monkeys.
—Sofia Saric
may 24, Miami Herald, 24 May 2026
Ravel Morrison’s superb solo goal at White Hart Lane in 2013 is still remembered fondly, as is Michail Antonio’s winner in 2019, which inflicted Tottenham’s first defeat at their new stadium.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 24 May 2026
Nicholls opened Rockwater not long after Cyclone Pam, a terrifying storm that churned through Vanuatu and inflicted $600 million in damage.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has directed his team to assess conditions among US allies in the region and request comprehensive estimates of the costs associated with repairing damage inflicted by Tehran since the start of the conflict, the official said.
—Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Fortune, 7 June 2026
Signs of the terror the Night Stalker inflicted on Southern Californians in the 1980s still remain intact today.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 7 June 2026
The source said the Treasury intends to utilize all available authorities to make Iranian assets accessible for rebuilding and repair efforts related to any future damage inflicted by Iran.
—Richard Escobedo, CBS News, 6 June 2026
The presidential search secrecy law, one of the most damaging changes ever inflicted on Florida’s public records laws, was a Republican bill enacted on largely party-line votes in both houses.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 June 2026
The torture was inflicted on baby and adult monkeys.
—Sofia Saric
may 24, Miami Herald, 24 May 2026
Ravel Morrison’s superb solo goal at White Hart Lane in 2013 is still remembered fondly, as is Michail Antonio’s winner in 2019, which inflicted Tottenham’s first defeat at their new stadium.
—Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 24 May 2026
Nicholls opened Rockwater not long after Cyclone Pam, a terrifying storm that churned through Vanuatu and inflicted $600 million in damage.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflicted
Verb
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But under martial law that was imposed after Russia’s full-scale invasion, presidential, parliamentary, and local elections are banned.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Dec. 2025
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But virtually all of Ukraine's regions now routinely face rolling blackouts, imposed to help protect the country's grid while repairs are carried out, leaving millions with only hours of power.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Below, find details on everything from skincare products to cozy rugs to hot sauces, created by the likes of John Legend, Joanna Gaines, and so many more celebs.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
People.com,
7 July 2025
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That perhaps, has created the most important similarity of all.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
Verb
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As Kate Niederhoffer and Jeffrey Hancock note in Harvard Business Review, forced AI adoption amid layoffs breeds resistance, anxiety, and plummeting morale.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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California also allows ballots, if postmarked by election day, to be accepted up to a week after polls close — though that policy may soon be forced to change depending how the Supreme Court rules on a case challenging ballots arriving after election day.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Others, like Tiara Parker, suppressed their grief and trauma until the weight of it all finally brought them tumbling to their knees.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
12 June 2026
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According to Oliveira, onlookers were amazed by the size of the shark as it was brought closer to shore.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflicted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflicted. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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