as in imposing
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 inflicting
El Niños arrive every few years, inflicting drought, flooding and other climate destruction across the globe.
—
Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 12 May 2026
Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images The monthslong war in Iran is inflicting economic pain across the country as many Americans report struggling with higher costs, particularly the record rise in gas prices.
—Will Lennon, ABC News, 8 May 2026
He was also sued for battery, emotional distress, and fraud in April and accused of inflicting physical, emotional, and psychological damage by 18-year-old influencer Alorah Ziva, which Peters denies.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2026
The gravity of possibly inflicting pain on an innocent person is an essential part of judgment.
—Sonali Chakravarti, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukrainian forces destroyed several military and other targets, while also inflicting significant damage on oil port infrastructure.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
Sacramento police had arrested Adger on suspicion of battery, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and inflicting undue suffering or pain on a dependent.
—Darrell Smith
may 1, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
His current preferred strategy, though, is inflicting maximum economic pain, sources familiar with the talks told CNN.
—Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
In addition to battery, fraud and intentionally inflicting emotional distress, Mendoza is suing Clavicular for the unauthorized publication of her name and likeness.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Joel Mathis, TheWeek, 12 May 2026
Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images The monthslong war in Iran is inflicting economic pain across the country as many Americans report struggling with higher costs, particularly the record rise in gas prices.
—Will Lennon, ABC News, 8 May 2026
He was also sued for battery, emotional distress, and fraud in April and accused of inflicting physical, emotional, and psychological damage by 18-year-old influencer Alorah Ziva, which Peters denies.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 6 May 2026
The gravity of possibly inflicting pain on an innocent person is an essential part of judgment.
—Sonali Chakravarti, The Conversation, 5 May 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukrainian forces destroyed several military and other targets, while also inflicting significant damage on oil port infrastructure.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2026
Sacramento police had arrested Adger on suspicion of battery, resisting or obstructing a peace officer, and inflicting undue suffering or pain on a dependent.
—Darrell Smith
may 1, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
His current preferred strategy, though, is inflicting maximum economic pain, sources familiar with the talks told CNN.
—Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
In addition to battery, fraud and intentionally inflicting emotional distress, Mendoza is suing Clavicular for the unauthorized publication of her name and likeness.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflicting
Verb
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Most are talking about imposing significantly higher business taxes to pay for new or expanded programs.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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Yet that cannot be wielded, either logically or honestly, as an excuse for imposing war on the noble Cuban people.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
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And while track and field adopted the dual-advancement and dual-medal system, the policy does not easily translate to head-to-head contact sports or other athletic competitions, creating what critics see as a glaring inconsistency across the state.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
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David then wakes up inside the woman's body, immediately creating a crisis.—
Tommy McArdle,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Three people were stabbed on a Rhode Island beach Tuesday as hundreds of teenagers packed the area, forcing beachgoers to flee.—
Louis Casiano , Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
20 May 2026
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Rather than compounding the advantages of incumbents, Grantham argued on Excess Returns, AI is forcing them into brutal, costly competition with one another.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
Verb
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The Sun forms a cazimi with Mercury in Taurus in your 2nd House of Resources, bringing a sharp insight around income, spending, self-worth, or what your energy is actually worth.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
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Royals starter Seth Lugo walked designated hitter Andrew Benintendi, bringing Kelenic up with two on and two outs and the score tied at 3.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflicting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflicting. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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