afflict

[ uh-flikt ]
See synonyms for: afflictafflictedafflictingafflicts on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to distress with mental or bodily pain; trouble greatly or grievously: to be afflicted with migraine headaches.

  2. Obsolete.

    • to overthrow; defeat.

    • to humble.

Origin of afflict

1
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; see inflict

Other words for afflict

Other words from afflict

  • 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

Words that may be confused with afflict

Words Nearby afflict

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use afflict in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for afflict

afflict

/ (əˈflɪkt) /


verb
  1. (tr) to cause suffering or unhappiness to; distress greatly

Origin of afflict

1
C14: from Latin afflictus, past participle of afflīgere to knock against, from flīgere to knock, to strike

Derived forms of afflict

  • afflictive, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012