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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inflict
The orders inflict penalties that could financially and reputationally hamper the firms.
—
Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
Investigators believe bite wounds suffered by Denholm were inflicted by domestic dogs rather than wild animals.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2025
Many said that despite the devastation that was inflicted by Germany, their families had been victims too and wanted closure of their own from the war.
—Malcolm Hillgartner Tanya Pérez Lance Neal, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Attacking more often, and with heavier munitions, might inflict lasting damage.
—David Axe, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Henry Gass, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Apr. 2025
Investigators believe bite wounds suffered by Denholm were inflicted by domestic dogs rather than wild animals.
—Max Levy, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2025
Many said that despite the devastation that was inflicted by Germany, their families had been victims too and wanted closure of their own from the war.
—Malcolm Hillgartner Tanya Pérez Lance Neal, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Attacking more often, and with heavier munitions, might inflict lasting damage.
—David Axe, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
Verb
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Trump defended his decision to impose tariffs, saying that the trade situation with U.S. partners was unsustainable and that someone needed to act.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
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Trump has also vowed to impose tariffs on a slew of other industries, including lumber, pharmaceuticals and copper.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The project is also intended to contribute to maintaining existing forests and creating new ones.—
Noël Fletcher,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
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Legal scholars have said there is little legal precedent for Trump's war on Big Law, which has created a chilling effect across the legal community, and most will certainly have a chilling effect on his opponents who will need legal representation against him.—
Alexander Mallin,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Her story forced the country to confront a flawed legal system and the cultural discomfort with women who challenged it.—
Gemma Allen,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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The crash and chemical plume forced the town to evacuate, and residents still fear long-term effects of pollution.—
Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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These roles lean towards the generic but the savvy casting of veteran actors still manage to bring some character to their anonymity without drawing focus from the play’s principal mission.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
4 Apr. 2025
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The friends bring serious on-screen experience to the table.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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