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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inflict
Furthermore, as a Jewish man with a direct connection to the horrors that the Nazi regime inflicted on millions of people, Spiegelman recently collaborated with author Joe Sacco on a three-page comic about the alarming situation in Gaza.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Those convictions would have increased his prison time if he had been convicted in 2013 of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2025
This includes ensuring justice for those who assault law enforcement officers or inflict violent harm on others, protecting both our officers and our communities.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 18 Feb. 2025
Plus, the youngest children were likely to show the most dramatic results since they’d be treated before SMA inflicted its worst damage.
—Robin Fields, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Those convictions would have increased his prison time if he had been convicted in 2013 of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2025
This includes ensuring justice for those who assault law enforcement officers or inflict violent harm on others, protecting both our officers and our communities.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 18 Feb. 2025
Plus, the youngest children were likely to show the most dramatic results since they’d be treated before SMA inflicted its worst damage.
—Robin Fields, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
Verb
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With the violence markedly cut down from the game, the showrunners say the need for Abby to be so imposing wasn’t as critical.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2025
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The White House imposed 25% across-the-board tariffs on Mexican imports and on nearly all Canadian imports early Tuesday.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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These actions have been saving lives and driving true culture change, creating a safer future for everyone.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2025
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But the accord between labor and management goes awry when Mao creates a mosque in the yard.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Tracking the Trump administration’s rollback of climate and environmental policies can seem like being forced through a wormhole back in time.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2025
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The episode opened right where the last one left off — Britney was forced to decide Danielle’s fate at the roundtable after Danielle and Ivar tied in votes at the penultimate banishment ceremony.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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That’s what the Dolphins are bringing aboard Wilson to be.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2025
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Joe Thuney brings significant upgrade to line March 5: The Bears haven’t had an offensive lineman named first-team All-Pro since 2006.—
Kevin Fishbain,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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