as in imposing
to cause someone to accept or experience something unwanted
The criminal inflicted a lifetime of distress on his unsuspecting victims.
Related Words
Relevance
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 inflicting
Both benefit-provisioning and cost-inflicting strategies are merely different forms of manipulation.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Firstly, Russia, has been inching forward in recent months on the eastern front (albeit at a huge cost to personnel and equipment), and inflicting almost daily aerial attacks on Ukraine’s cities.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
Starting a war or inflicting a blow isn't something that can be done by one side without receiving a response.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Her book contains only a few references to the anti-Jewish measures the Nazis were inflicting on France and the rest of Europe.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025
Russia is advancing and inflicting heavy losses on Ukraine.
—Illia Ponomarenko, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
Therefore, inflicting maximum defeat on the enemy 'on the battlefield' remains our main task today.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
European states are already some of the highest spending in the world and that gives them little option for extra spending without inflicting severe pain.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Democrats say the White House is inflicting unnecessary pain on the American people and will pay a heavy price at the ballot box.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2025
Mark Travers, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Firstly, Russia, has been inching forward in recent months on the eastern front (albeit at a huge cost to personnel and equipment), and inflicting almost daily aerial attacks on Ukraine’s cities.
—Clare Sebastian, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
Starting a war or inflicting a blow isn't something that can be done by one side without receiving a response.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Her book contains only a few references to the anti-Jewish measures the Nazis were inflicting on France and the rest of Europe.
—Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025
Russia is advancing and inflicting heavy losses on Ukraine.
—Illia Ponomarenko, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025
Therefore, inflicting maximum defeat on the enemy 'on the battlefield' remains our main task today.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025
European states are already some of the highest spending in the world and that gives them little option for extra spending without inflicting severe pain.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Democrats say the White House is inflicting unnecessary pain on the American people and will pay a heavy price at the ballot box.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflicting
Verb
-
These executive orders have addressed a broad range of policy areas, including imposing tariffs that has escalated trade tensions and provoked retaliatory measures from foreign governments.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
-
It could be argued that imposing retaliatory tariffs on electricity exports might encourage American states to seek more cost-effective energy alternatives, particularly those based on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas.—
Ali Hoss,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
What’s more, some Chinese command centers appear to have live video feeds of various platforms under their purview, potentially limiting the autonomy of more junior officers and creating a sense that their every move is under the microscope.—
Sam Bresnick,
Foreign Affairs,
31 Dec. 2024
-
While speaking independently, James and Josh concurred that AI, electronic trading platforms, and algorithmic trading is creating a technological arms race.—
Barnet Sherman,
Forbes,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
According to a forecast from Bank of America Securities, consumers are expected to spend 7% more in 2024 than in 2023, bringing their average anticipated spending up to nearly $2,100.—
Ronny Maye,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
-
The weather should improve across the country by Christmas Day, according to the National Weather Service, as the East Coast storm system bringing snow to the region will leave by Tuesday evening.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes,
24 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Inflicting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflicting. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share