Word Frequency
inflict (ɪnˈflɪkt
)
Definitions
verb
- often foll by on or upon to impose (something unwelcome, such as pain, oneself, etc)
- (rare) to cause to suffer; afflict (with)
- to deal out (blows, lashes, etc)
Derived Forms
inˈflictable adjectiveinˈflicter, inˈflictor noun
inˈfliction noun
inˈflictive adjective
Word Origin
C16: from Latin inflīgere to strike (something) against, dash against, from flīgere to strikeSynonyms
View thesaurus entryTranslations for 'inflict'
- British English: inflict To inflict harm or damage on someone or something means to make them suffer it. VERBRebels say they have inflicted heavy casualties on government forces.
- Brazilian Portuguese: infligir
- Chinese: 使遭受伤害或破坏等
- European Spanish: causar
- French: infliger
- German: zufügen
- Italian: infliggere
- Japanese: >与える危害・損害を
- Korean: ~을 가하다
- Portuguese: infligir
- Spanish: provocar
Example Sentences Including 'inflict'
"This would mean improving our ability to inflict optimum damage on the enemy," says a senior army officer.Outlook India (2005)
A childhood of fear, of being betrayed, was not what Devereux would inflict on his own child.The Touch of Innocents
I couldn't inflict him on you... "Despite the odd looks, she had been reasonably satisfied with her performance.Final Resort
I just don't want to inflict such an unlovely sight on people.Coping With Sudden Hair Loss
I was appalled that the allied forces who are supposed to be here as liberators could inflict such suffering.Edmonton Sun (2003)
Linfield will be out to inflict league defeat number four on McFall's men in what is the most crucial game of the season to date.Belfast Telegraph (2004)
Researchers know that the more an expectant mother drinks, the more damage she can inflict.Globe and Mail (2003)
The kind of barbed remarks that are designed to inflict maximum damage.LOST SUMMER (2002)
The time has come for the courts to make these parasites pay for the misery they inflict.Belfast Telegraph (2003)
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