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afflict

verb
af·​flict | \ É™-ˈflikt How to pronounce afflict (audio) \
afflicted; afflicting; afflicts

Definition of afflict

transitive verb

1a : to cause pain or suffering to : to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish people afflicted with arthritis a region afflicted by hunger and poverty
b : trouble, injure

2 obsolete

a : humble
b : overthrow
Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about afflict

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Choose the Right Synonym for afflict

afflict, try, torment, torture, rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear. afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress. ills that afflict the elderly try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control. children often try their parents' patience torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance. a horse tormented by flies torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering. tortured by a sense of guilt rack stresses straining or wrenching. a body racked by pain

Examples of afflict in a Sentence

The disease afflicts an estimated two million people every year. the South was afflicted by a severe drought

Recent Examples on the Web

 The only common thread so far appears to be recent vaping by those afflicted. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Vaping linked to 94 mysterious cases of severe lung disease in 14 states," 19 Aug. 2019 These experts also say people afflicted with mental illness are more likely to be the victims of violent crime than the perpetrator, and fear the president's language only further stigmatizes those struggling with mental health issues. — Kathryn Watson, CBS News, "Trump wants to bring back mental institutions to address mass shootings," 16 Aug. 2019 Nearly two decades of warfare in Afghanistan have left people on all sides of the conflict afflicted with fear. — Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: The FBI’s struggle to confront domestic terrorism," 12 Aug. 2019 Communities should provide for a better existence for people afflicted with psychiatric illness. — Jack Bragen, The Mercury News, "Opinion: Those of us with psychiatric illness deserve opportunity," 11 July 2019 Organizers intended the event to raise awareness of the growing homeless population and to provide those afflicted with an opportunity to celebrate Independence Day with a traditional cookout. — Kellen Foster, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Kellen’s report: Father Joe’s celebrates July 4th with a barbeque for homeless," 5 July 2019 As the number of those afflicted has grown, so has the number of tools to help them navigate. — Caren Chesler, Popular Mechanics, "A Vision Quest," 6 Mar. 2019 Michael Wingfield, a plant pathologist at the University of Pretoria, tells Sarah Wild at Nature that the sample size is very small and the study does not fully rule out a disease afflicting older trees. — Jason Daley, Smithsonian, "Something Is Killing Off Africa’s Largest Baobab Trees," 12 June 2018 That only 5% or so of those afflicted are under 40. — Chris Ballard, SI.com, "Same Warrior, New Battle: Brian Grant Won't Back Down From Parkinson's Disease," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'afflict.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of afflict

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for afflict

Middle English afflihten "to excite, become distressed," probably verbal derivative of affliht, aflyght "disturbed, upset," borrowed from Latin afflīctus, past participle of afflīgere "to knock or strike down, ruin, distress severely," from ad- ad- + flīgere "to strike down" — more at profligate entry 1

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More Definitions for afflict

afflict

verb
af·​flict | \ É™-ˈflikt How to pronounce afflict (audio) \
afflicted; afflicting

Kids Definition of afflict

: to cause pain or unhappiness to An unusual illness afflicted the young girl.

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More from Merriam-Webster on afflict

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with afflict

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for afflict

Spanish Central: Translation of afflict

Nglish: Translation of afflict for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of afflict for Arabic Speakers

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