Inflict
/ɪnˈflɪkt/
Definitions
To cause something unpleasant or painful to be experienced.
/ɪnˈflɪkt/
To cause something unpleasant or painful to be suffered by someone or something.
The bully tried to inflict fear on the smaller children.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend accidentally steps on your foot! Ouch! That's inflicting pain – making you feel it. Inflict means to cause something bad, like pain or punishment, to happen to someone or something.
👶 For kids: To make someone or something feel something bad, like pain or sadness.
More Examples
The hurricane inflicted significant damage on the coastal towns.
The company inflicted large layoffs on its employees due to the economic downturn.
How It's Used
"The disease inflicted a great deal of suffering."
"The judge will inflict a harsh sentence on the criminal."
"The injury inflicted excruciating pain on the athlete."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
inflict damage
To cause harm or destruction.
"The storm inflicted considerable damage on the infrastructure."
inflict a penalty
To impose a punishment or fine.
"The court decided to inflict a penalty on the company for breaking environmental laws."
From Latin *inflīctus*, past participle of *inflīgere* meaning 'to strike against, to impose'.
The word 'inflict' has been used since the late 15th century, primarily to describe causing harm or imposing something unpleasant.
Memory tip
Think of 'in-flict' like 'in-conflict' or 'in-pain', something unpleasant is coming your way or is applied.
Word Origin
"to strike against, to impose"