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 Word Forms

• 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

And other than a harsh post-election crackdown in the capital, Libreville, in 2016, the country has enjoyed a mostly calm recent history that contrasts with the conflicts and instability that have afflicted many regional neighbours.

From BBC

Next, let's go back nearly two decades to the financial crisis and the historically poor growth and negligible average earnings growth that has afflicted the UK ever since.

From BBC

His career brought an international spotlight to this system of racial segregation in plays that afflicted consciences and fomented activism at home and abroad.

From Los Angeles Times

Before examining the natural disasters that have afflicted these blowhards’ own backyards, it’s proper to note that this isn’t California’s first encounter with political shortsightedness on this majestic scale.

From Los Angeles Times

Traditionally, we approached our jobs in the press as comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.

From Salon

Related Words

• depressed
• stricken