as in to impose
to cause someone to accept or experience something unwanted
The criminal inflicted a lifetime of distress on his unsuspecting victims.
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Recent Examples of inflict
Beyond some reluctant and muted acknowledgement of a famine inflicted, nothing.
Silence.
—
Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
Unfortunately, the current U.S. government has embarked on political and policy strategies that will inflict lasting self-harm.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 11 Aug. 2025
In turn, Eritrean president Isaias Afwerki had long held a grudge against the TPLF and was determined not only to dismantle it but also to inflict so much damage on Tigray that the region’s forces could never challenge Eritrea again.
—Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe, Foreign Affairs, 5 Aug. 2025
At their best, people accelerate what evolution might achieve, facilitating adaptation at a pace that matches the unprecedented rate of destruction inflicted by past technologies.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
Unfortunately, the current U.S. government has embarked on political and policy strategies that will inflict lasting self-harm.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 11 Aug. 2025
In turn, Eritrean president Isaias Afwerki had long held a grudge against the TPLF and was determined not only to dismantle it but also to inflict so much damage on Tigray that the region’s forces could never challenge Eritrea again.
—Mulugeta Gebrehiwot Berhe, Foreign Affairs, 5 Aug. 2025
At their best, people accelerate what evolution might achieve, facilitating adaptation at a pace that matches the unprecedented rate of destruction inflicted by past technologies.
—Jonathon Keats, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
Verb
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When Trump threatened to impose tariffs, the Mexican government made the concession of not just sending troops to the border and to cities like Culiacán, but of also allowing the U.S. military to fly in Mexican airspace.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
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In addition to pharma tariffs, Trump has threatened to impose across-the-board tariffs on semiconductors and lumber.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That means teaching parents how to be their child’s calm center, how to interpret behavior as communication, and how to create home environments that foster cooperation and emotional safety.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
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Methodology To gather the data, our team created a shopping list of 19 school lunch items.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Obama did much of this without Republicans forcing his hand.—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
9 Aug. 2025
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Alex Austin ended Jayden Daniels' last period, knocking away an end-zone pass on fourth-and-six to force a would-be turnover on downs.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This week, Tahoe announced $30 million in new venture funding, led by Amplify Partners, bringing the company’s total funding to $42 million and its valuation to $120 million.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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The department framed limits as bringing services in line with national norms, but some people, such as those who received therapy multiple times a week, could see cutbacks.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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