1
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
she listened with deep affliction as her daughter told her about the latest trouble she was in
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2
as in sorrow
deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved
felt such great affliction over the destruction of the beautiful old home
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3
as in curse
a source of harm or misfortune
alcohol has been his affliction ever since he took his first drink at the age of 12
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4
5
as in injury
something that causes loss or pain
cronyism and corruption are afflictions on the body politic
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of affliction
Plantar fasciitis and Morton’s neuroma/fibroma are afflictions that have come and gone.
—
Sonaiya Kelley, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
But the weights eventually come off, making that strategy an impermanent solution for the affliction.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
His affliction is a familiar one, and perhaps no characters better speak to that than Scott’s depiction of Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) in Gladiator II.
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2024
Despite their reputation as a winter affliction, chapped lips seem to strike year-round.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for affliction 
Sonaiya Kelley, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
But the weights eventually come off, making that strategy an impermanent solution for the affliction.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024
His affliction is a familiar one, and perhaps no characters better speak to that than Scott’s depiction of Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) in Gladiator II.
—Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2024
Despite their reputation as a winter affliction, chapped lips seem to strike year-round.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
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Relli — a former member of hip-hop collective A$AP Mob — filed a civil suit for assault, battery and emotional distress against Rocky on Aug. 10, 2022.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
25 Jan. 2025
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Removing First Amendment violations, conspiracy, deceit, false light and retaliation leaves the new complaint with allegations of defamation per se by libel and slander, intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation per quad by libel.—
Isha Trivedi,
The Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Inaugurations have been held in both joy and sorrow in the nation's capital and, infamously, on a plane in Dallas.—
James Powel,
USA TODAY,
18 Jan. 2025
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In a heartfelt statement from Truex's children – Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Truex, and Marsha McVey, the family shared their deep sorrow, paying tribute to their late father.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And anyone who believed in curses was gaining some evidence.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
19 Jan. 2025
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Cubs fan sabotages his own team and extends the most infamous curse in MLB history During Game 6 of the 2003 National League Division vs. the then-Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs fan Steve Bartman reached out and grabbed a ball that could have been caught.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Audiard long had imagined an internal struggle within Emilia between man and woman, demon and angel.—
Julian Sancton,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, as if disciplining your demon seed wasn’t stressful enough, Rowan is also getting conflicting versions of mom-shaming from two Mayfair relatives, one of whom is actually deceased.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
5 Jan. 2025
Noun
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These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
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Murphy played in the Chicago Cubs minor league system for five years before retiring, in part due to injuries.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Ohio State had several years of agony fueling its CFP run, and the 2025 season will be Penn State’s turn to attempt something similar.—
Austin Meek,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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After 15 months of agony, the potential Gaza ceasefire comes as a colossal relief not just for Palestinians and Israelis, but for the wider Middle East.—
Max Rodenbeck,
TIME,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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However, numbers cannot articulate the magnitude of anguish as the disaster upends families and dismantles livelihoods.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
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The stark destruction has brought him to his knees in prayer and anguish.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA TODAY,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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There were the many members of Mr. Trump’s dynastic clan; the billionaire characters who populate his colorful entourage; foreign leaders; ex-presidents; and political nemeses who Mr. Trump had vanquished.—
Shawn McCreesh,
New York Times,
21 Jan. 2025
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Per Jackson, Butler was specifically irked by the big 2023 off-season swings taken by two major Eastern Conference nemeses in particular.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near affliction
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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