inflict

[ in-flikt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to impose as something that must be borne or suffered:

   to inflict punishment.

2. to impose (anything unwelcome):

   The regime inflicted burdensome taxes on the people.

3. to deal or deliver, as a blow.

inflict

/ ɪnˈflɪkt /

verb

1. often foll byon or upon to impose (something unwelcome, such as pain, oneself, etc)
2. rare.
   to cause to suffer; afflict (with)
3. to deal out (blows, lashes, etc)

Derived Forms

• inˈfliction, noun
• inˈflicter, noun
• inˈflictive, adjective
• inˈflictable, adjective

Other Words From

• in·flicta·ble adjective
• in·flicter in·flictor noun
• in·flictive adjective
• prein·flict verb (used with object)
• unin·flicted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflict¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin inflīctus, past participle of inflīgere “to strike or dash against,” equivalent to in- “in” + flīg- (stem of flīgere “to beat down”) + -tus past participle suffix; in- ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of inflict¹

C16: from Latin inflīgere to strike (something) against, dash against, from flīgere to strike

Example Sentences

The humanity of these families and the trauma deportation would inflict are of no apparent concern to the incoming administration.

From Los Angeles Times

He said the case highlighted “the scale of injustice that the Tory Legacy Act threatened to inflict on families across our society”.

From BBC

The judge said Morrow sought "to inflict maximum distress on the victims".

From BBC

He claimed that Trump spoke during his election campaign about wanting peace and not a desire to inflict defeat on Russia.

From BBC

They are making a world so scary and degraded that it's perfectly understandable not to want to inflict it on a child.

From Salon

Related Words

• exact
• expose
• levy
• wreak