AFFLICT Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'afflict' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of afflict are rack , torment , torture , and try . While all these words 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

Q: Where would 'rack' be a reasonable alternative to 'afflict'?

In some situations, the words rack and afflict are roughly equivalent. However, rack stresses straining or wrenching. // a body racked by pain

Q: When might 'torment' be a better fit than 'afflict'?

While in some cases nearly identical to afflict , torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance. // a horse tormented by flies

Q: In what contexts can 'torture' take the place of 'afflict'?

The synonyms torture and afflict are sometimes interchangeable, but torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering. // tortured by a sense of guilt

Q: When can 'try' be used instead of 'afflict'?

Although the words try and afflict have much in common, try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control. // children often try their parents' patience

afflict

verb

ə-ˈflikt

Definition of afflict next

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to the South was afflicted by a severe drought he's been afflicted by nightmares ever since the accident

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How is the word afflict different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of afflict are rack, torment, torture, and try. While all these words 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

Where would rack be a reasonable alternative to afflict?

In some situations, the words rack and afflict are roughly equivalent. However, rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

When might torment be a better fit than afflict?

While in some cases nearly identical to afflict, torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

In what contexts can torture take the place of afflict?

The synonyms torture and afflict are sometimes interchangeable, but torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

When can try be used instead of afflict?

Although the words try and afflict have much in common, try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of afflict And war, conflict, and violence continue to afflict millions worldwide, from the DRC to South Sudan, Haiti to Yemen, Ukraine to Gaza. —

Rob Reddick, WIRED, 31 Dec. 2024 The Remarkable Life Of Ibelin Benjamin Ree’s film tells the story of Mats Steen, a young man afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a degenerative and terminal genetic disorder. —

Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024 For example, the same researchers at Cornell University who invented the new goggles have previously shown a reduction in blood flow in the brains of mice afflicted with the condition. —

Michael Franco, New Atlas, 29 Dec. 2024 The antisemitism controversy that afflicted Documenta in 2022 largely went unmentioned in the announcement of Beckwith’s appointment, though Timon Gremmels, the Minister of State for Science and Research for the state of Hesse, briefly alluded to it in his statement. —

Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 18 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for afflict