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

By pressing Kenyon into the hot pavement, officers violated his civil rights by utilizing excessive force and intentionally inflicting emotional distress, the lawsuit stated. —Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 9 July 2025

And while inflicting these massive losses, the oil and gas industry has been pocketing huge profits, more than $1 trillion in the past decade alone. —Jerry McNerney, Mercury News, 9 July 2025

Animal cruelty constitutes intentionally inflicting pain on an animal for several reasons, but often excludes the purposes of experimentation. —Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2025

Netanyahu’s government has faced mounting international criticism for the suffering its war is inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza. —Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 5 July 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

Rhymes for inflict

• addict
• afflict
• constrict
• delict
• depict
• evict
• handpicked
• predict
• relict
• restrict
• bricked
• clicked

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