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
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.
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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
But so far this season, Devers isn’t inflicting that damage in any count.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2026
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
But so far this season, Devers isn’t inflicting that damage in any count.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflicting
Verb
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Kim, who took power in 1946, reframed Christianity as a symptom of American imperialism and repurposed its rituals with himself at the center, instituting requirements for ideological activities and imposing harsh punishments on those who failed to show sufficient devotion.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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The Wekiva River Parkway and Protection Act of 2004 authorized construction of a beltway around Central Florida, also known as State Road 429, while imposing strict protections for the environmentally fragile Wekiva River basin.—
Stephen Hudak,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 May 2026
Verb
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This unique board lets even the most stressed mother unwind by creating beautiful works of art without paint or ink.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
4 May 2026
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The brand is dedicated to creating certified organic skincare that’s actually effective.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Things quickly changed, however, as Orlando’s defense stopped forcing turnovers and its offense came to a halt.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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The staff union picketed outside the SAG-AFTRA building, where those negotiations were held for the first two weeks, blocking entrances to the parking garage and forcing negotiators to cross a picket line to get inside.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The two firms are bringing an existing $20 million emerging markets debt fund – launched in 2025 with Friday Industries – to the joint platform, with approximately $100 million of qualified pipeline at closing.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
6 May 2026
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Squeri moved Amex away from the long-standing industry playbook which entailed bringing customers in with low-cost cards, then graduating them to premium products.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflicting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflicting. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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