afflict

[ uh-flikt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to distress with mental or bodily pain; trouble greatly or grievously:

   to be afflicted with migraine headaches.

   Synonyms: plague, torment, harass, vex

2. Obsolete.
   1. to overthrow; defeat.
   2. to humble.

afflict

/ əˈflɪkt /

verb

1. tr to cause suffering or unhappiness to; distress greatly

Derived Forms

• afˈflictive, adjective

Other Words From

• af·flict·er noun
• o·ver·af·flict verb (used with object)
• pre·af·flict verb (used with object)
• self-af·flict·ing adjective
• un·af·flict·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of afflict¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English afflicten, from Latin afflīctus “distressed,” past participle of afflīgere “to cast down” ( af- af- + flīg- “knock” + -tus past participle suffix); replacing Middle English aflight, from Middle French aflit, from Latin; inflict

Word History and Origins

Origin of afflict¹

C14: from Latin afflictus, past participle of afflīgere to knock against, from flīgere to knock, to strike

Example Sentences

"There's that old line about what a preacher's job is, to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. And there are a lot of American churches that have zero interest in afflicting the comfortable," he said.

From Salon

Her purpose: “to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”

From Salon

But this is not the sort of series that will leave evil unpunished or afflict the good with senseless tragedy.

From Los Angeles Times

Their bosses tell them to afflict both sides.

From Salon

For survivors of strokes, which afflict nearly 800,000 Americans each year, regaining fine motor skills like writing and using utensils is critical for recovering independence and quality of life.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• annoy
• beset
• bother
• burden
• oppress
• plague
• rack
• torment
• torture
• wound