afflicted

[ uh-flik-tid ]

adjective

1. greatly distressed or troubled by bodily or mental pain:

   The severity of these symptoms predicts how well the afflicted individuals can live independently and maintain employment.

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. Usually the afflicted. a person or persons distressed or troubled in such a way:

   Behind each of these killer diseases is the pain of despair, loneliness, and loss in the lives of the bereaved and the afflicted.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of afflict ( def ).

Other Words From

• af·flict·ed·ness noun
• un·af·flict·ed adjective
• un·af·flict·ed·ly adverb
• un·af·flict·ed·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of afflicted¹

afflict ( def ) + -ed ²( def )

Example Sentences

In the era of "liberal peace", an agreement to end a civil war was the drafting of a democratic constitution, along with measures for disarming and demobilising rival armies, transitional justice and reconciliation, and aid-funded programmes to deliver a peace dividend for the afflicted populace.

From BBC

Moreover, the federal death penalty has been afflicted with the same problems of racial injustice that have plagued the states where it is also legal.

From Slate

Standing before TV cameras, Trump shuddered and stuttered, as if afflicted with palsy, making fun of the journalist whose articles he disliked.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s just that I’ve followed Nunes’ career as an ultra-litigious Trump defender who is afflicted by a world-class intolerance for perceived slights.

From Los Angeles Times

"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

Related Words

• depressed
• stricken