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 toll inflicted by this week's cuts stretches beyond probationary workers and fellows. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2025

There have been pure hammerings inflicted by a magisterial opponent, there have been vain attempts to keep the score down, there have been have-a-go failures and defensive mishaps. —George Caulkin, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025

Tariffs on consumer products like bourbon generate news headlines and disproportionately hit specific geographies, inflicting a lot of political pain at a limited cost. —Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025

Our goal is to bleed Russia dry with Ukrainian soldiers and sacrifices heedless of the industrial-scale suffering inflicted on the Ukrainian people. —Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025

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