as in to impose
to cause someone to accept or experience something unwanted
The criminal inflicted a lifetime of distress on his unsuspecting victims.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of inflict
Few other states in the region seem very sorry at the reverses inflicted on the moribund regime of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
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Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
The success of this mission led to regular daylight bombing raids, which inflicted high casualties for U.S. air crews, according to historyplace.com.
—Sheila Yount, arkansasonline.com, 5 Jan. 2025
The storm flooded homes and inflicted major damage across the western coast of Florida, pushing up a massive surge of water throughout the Tampa Bay area before marching into Georgia and the Carolinas.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
But his policies have inflicted widespread hardship.
—María Magdalena Arréllaga, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inflict 
Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
The success of this mission led to regular daylight bombing raids, which inflicted high casualties for U.S. air crews, according to historyplace.com.
—Sheila Yount, arkansasonline.com, 5 Jan. 2025
The storm flooded homes and inflicted major damage across the western coast of Florida, pushing up a massive surge of water throughout the Tampa Bay area before marching into Georgia and the Carolinas.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
But his policies have inflicted widespread hardship.
—María Magdalena Arréllaga, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
Verb
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The Boston City Council plans to discuss the possibility of imposing a new local tax on sodas and other sugary drinks.Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 16 Jan. 2025
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He was held in contempt last week in the New York case for failing to turn over assets to Freeman and Moss, though U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman has not yet imposed any sanctions on Giuliani for contempt.Alison Durkee, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Rolls-Royce was asked to fulfil this order and created a single limousine for the Royal Mews – the same vehicle is said to still be in operation up to the present day.Trinity Francis, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
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The stores create and post much of their own content separate from the main Barnes & Noble account and also are responsible for their in-store marketing of #BookTok titles in displays.Jennifer Maas, Variety, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Supreme Court Rulings That Could Change America In 2025 By Seth A. Schachner Managing Director, Strat Americas 1 While many Americans took a holiday break this weekend, President-elect Donald Trump's legal team suddenly asked the U.S. Supreme Court to delay a recent U.S. law forcing TikTok's sale.Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
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After forcing an Alperen Şengün miss on a floater with just under 50 seconds left, the Lakers came up the court down just four, but James was called for an offensive foul while trying to post up Amen Thompson near the basket.Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The boat was spotted off the island of Lanzarote on Monday as Spain marked the Epiphany holiday, also known as Three Kings Day, meant to honor the day the three wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus, rescuers said.Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 9 Jan. 2025
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Another storm system is expected to pass north of the Kansas City region, bringing the chance of snow flurries along the Missouri and Iowa border on Sunday.Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near inflict
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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