inflict

verb

in·​flict in-ˈflikt 

inflicted; inflicting; inflicts

transitive verb

1

a

: to give by or as if by striking

inflict a painful sting

inflict damage

b

: to cause (something unpleasant) to be endured

… inflict my annual message upon the church itself if it might derive benefit thereby.

—Mark Twain

2

: afflict

inflicter noun

or inflictor

in-ˈflik-tər 

inflictive

in-ˈflik-tiv 

adjective

Examples of inflict in a Sentence

These insects are capable of inflicting a painful sting.

Recent Examples on the Web

Israel has regularly dropped 1,000-pound and 2,000-pound bombs on Lebanon, according to analysis of aftermath imagery by weapons experts, inflicting catastrophic damage to neighborhoods and towns. —Allegra Goodwin and Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 2 Nov. 2024

Apart from Bugatti, few great French cars ever came stateside, save perhaps the Citroën SM (whose model name suggests the pain that car can inflict on its long-suffering owner). —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2024

In response to this Iranian strike, Israel bombed military and space targets within Iran on Saturday, inflicting damage to the Shahroud base, run by Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard, a powerful entity within Iran's theocratic structure. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

Oftentimes, older children were forced to inflict punishment on their younger classmates. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin inflictus, past participle of infligere, from in- + fligere to strike — more at profligate

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

inflict

verb

in·​flict in-ˈflikt 

1

: to give by or as if by striking

inflict a wound

2

: to cause (something damaging or painful) to be endured

inflict punishment

infliction

-ˈflik-shən

noun