inflicted; inflicting; inflicts
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
Mark Twain2
: afflict
Examples of inflict in a Sentence
These insects are capable of inflicting a painful sting.
Recent Examples on the Web
The former first lady has been the subject of numerous high-profile scandals, some dating back more than 15 years, which overshadowed Yoon’s turbulent presidency and inflicted political damage on him and his conservative party.
—CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Read more Russia North Korea's Kim To Visit China for First Time in Six Years: What To Know
Map Shows Countries Suspending Postal Service to United States
Earthquake Rocks Alaska
Tropical Storm Juliette Forms in Pacific
The quake and resulting waves inflicted damage on some Russian infrastructure.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
The blast claimed his left leg, left an arm badly damaged, caused severe burns and inflicted a traumatic brain injury.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
But Venugopal points out that the lab study couldn’t capture the onslaught of enzymes, teeth gritting, and temperature variation that a real human mouth inflicts.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2025
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CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2025
Read more Russia North Korea's Kim To Visit China for First Time in Six Years: What To Know
Map Shows Countries Suspending Postal Service to United States
Earthquake Rocks Alaska
Tropical Storm Juliette Forms in Pacific
The quake and resulting waves inflicted damage on some Russian infrastructure.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
The blast claimed his left leg, left an arm badly damaged, caused severe burns and inflicted a traumatic brain injury.
—Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2025
But Venugopal points out that the lab study couldn’t capture the onslaught of enzymes, teeth gritting, and temperature variation that a real human mouth inflicts.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflict. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
-ˈflik-shən
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