inflict

verb

in·​flict in-ˈflikt 

inflicted; inflicting; inflicts

transitive verb

1

a

: to give by or as if by striking

inflict a painful sting

inflict damage

b

: to cause (something unpleasant) to be endured

… inflict my annual message upon the church itself if it might derive benefit thereby.

—Mark Twain

2

: afflict

inflicter noun

or inflictor

in-ˈflik-tər 

inflictive

in-ˈflik-tiv 

adjective

Examples of inflict in a Sentence

These insects are capable of inflicting a painful sting.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, traveled to the Klamath last year for a series of stories about the damage inflicted by the dams and the work to restore wildlife habitat and ancestral homelands. —Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024

Even in its only domestic defeat of the season - a 4-2 loss to Osasuna - Barca got on the scoresheet twice, and there have been goal-heavy thrashings inflicted on the likes of Valladolid (7-0), Girona (1-4), Villarreal (1-5), Alaves (0-3), Sevilla (5-1), Real Madrid (0-4) and now Espanyol (3-1). —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Much of the harm inflicted on victims of a nuclear strike — or nuclear plant catastrophe — comes from high-velocity radiation particles that pierce the body, damaging cells and their DNA. —Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024

But the unspeakable violence inflicted on this community has spurred a very public purpose for the family: bringing awareness to traumatic brain injuries among military members and a call to action for continued research. —Brenda Breslauer, NBC News, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin inflictus, past participle of infligere, from in- + fligere to strike — more at profligate

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

inflict

verb

in·​flict in-ˈflikt 

1

: to give by or as if by striking

inflict a wound

2

: to cause (something damaging or painful) to be endured

inflict punishment

infliction

-ˈflik-shən

noun