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
Their shared belief in the importance of cinema breaks through the screen, contagiously inflicting those watching, striking a hopeful tone to cherish and admire that also prevents the film from appearing earnest and naive.
—
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
For now, there’s much more acute pain Julia and Henry are inflicting upon us.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
In some states, while inflicting physical punishment on children in schools is banned, incidents of its use in schools still occur, the nonprofit organization Lawyers for Good Government reported.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
This threatens the public school ecosystem, inflicting long-term harm on a generation of students already recovering from pandemic-era setbacks.
—Sonia Banker, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
The ambiguity is deliberate, with Gudsen and Michelle shaped by their compromises, each capable of inflicting harm.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
He was deported in 2015, after serving a six-year state prison term for convictions of inflicting corporal punishment, child cruelty, willful discharge of a firearm in a negligent manner and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Her words are a chilling reminder of the invisible wounds this war is inflicting on children in Sudan.
—Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Critics tend to argue that the atomic bombs were unnecessary, inflicting unspeakable devastation on cities filled with civilians against an enemy that was already defeated and soon going to surrender.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2025
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 7 Sep. 2025
For now, there’s much more acute pain Julia and Henry are inflicting upon us.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
In some states, while inflicting physical punishment on children in schools is banned, incidents of its use in schools still occur, the nonprofit organization Lawyers for Good Government reported.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
This threatens the public school ecosystem, inflicting long-term harm on a generation of students already recovering from pandemic-era setbacks.
—Sonia Banker, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2025
The ambiguity is deliberate, with Gudsen and Michelle shaped by their compromises, each capable of inflicting harm.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 15 Aug. 2025
He was deported in 2015, after serving a six-year state prison term for convictions of inflicting corporal punishment, child cruelty, willful discharge of a firearm in a negligent manner and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025
Her words are a chilling reminder of the invisible wounds this war is inflicting on children in Sudan.
—Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Critics tend to argue that the atomic bombs were unnecessary, inflicting unspeakable devastation on cities filled with civilians against an enemy that was already defeated and soon going to surrender.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflicting
Verb
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China has taken a regulatory lead, imposing strict VOC emission limits inside vehicle cabins.—
Anan Bishara,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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This postcard, which portrays the imposing structure in an unusually upbeat way is a great example of Tetricolor.—
Randy Mason,
Kansas City Star,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Or those who know the difference between a smudging brush and a blending brush and how to use them when creating a smoky eye.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Improving efficiency in cooling systems reduces leaks, lowers energy use, and extends product life, creating both environmental and financial savings.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Within days of Cracker Barrel’s decision to ditch Uncle Herschel, the company’s market cap had shed $143 million, 15% of its value, forcing it to reinstate its old branding and pause plans to remodel Cracker Barrel locations.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
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The current administration will continue to target DEI programs, forcing practitioners to stay vigilent and creative about their approaches to DEI.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Moreover, this should help in bringing accessibility insights and considerations directly to the attention of important decision-makers who may have previously viewed digital accessibility as a side issue or compliance distraction that can solely be addressed by niche vendors.—
Gus Alexiou,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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At least 50,000 reservists are to be called up for the operation, bringing the total troop strength to 120,000.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflicting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflicting. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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