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
Here, the setting is primarily the apartment where Callas spent the last days of her life—dying ostensibly from a heart attack, but suffering from numerous afflictions—at the age of 53 in 1977.
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Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024
Now a young adult experiencing troubling blackouts, after which freshly eviscerated bodies always seem to be present, Anna the Ripper decides to take up with a psychiatrist (Eric Porter) who attempts to cure her of her murderous affliction.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
But embarrassment, these days, is a partisan affliction.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024
What Lane discovered is one symptom of an affliction in the benefits system that impacts about 3.5 million American employees out of work for a behavioral health disability.
—Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for affliction 
Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2024
Now a young adult experiencing troubling blackouts, after which freshly eviscerated bodies always seem to be present, Anna the Ripper decides to take up with a psychiatrist (Eric Porter) who attempts to cure her of her murderous affliction.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
But embarrassment, these days, is a partisan affliction.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024
What Lane discovered is one symptom of an affliction in the benefits system that impacts about 3.5 million American employees out of work for a behavioral health disability.
—Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
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The lawsuit alleges negligent infliction of emotional distress and negligence.Jessika Harkay, Hartford Courant, 15 Dec. 2024
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While one source said the legal action is ongoing, the litigation is not creating any prohibitive financial distress for VREG.Matt Donnelly, Variety, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Those little eyebrows pinched in sorrow or remorse?Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
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Because, Linford says, while sorrow is real, the final word is joy.Jason DeRose, NPR, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Financial Education Is Wealth The third-generation wealth curse often befalls families where younger generations, especially grandchildren, are detached from how their predecessors went about building wealth.Next Avenue, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
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For high-achieving professionals, especially those who are naturally more sensitive and perceptive, emotional investment in work can be both a blessing and a curse.Melody Wilding, Contributor, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In the first season, Cross faces his toughest case yet while grappling with personal demons that threaten to derail him.Okla Jones, Essence, 14 Dec. 2024
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The show ran from 1997 to 2003 and saw Gellar’s Buffy Summers seek out and destroy vampires, demons and other forces of darkness, with the help of her friends.Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Three other students and one teacher suffered non-life-threatening injuries.Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
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Two students remain in critical condition with life-threatening injuries while three students and a teacher suffered non-life-threatening injuries.Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The project, inspired by Becky's Mexican roots and the death of her grandfather Miguel, bursts with emotive lyrics that earnestly capture the euphoria and agony of all-consuming love.Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
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In just over three minutes, Phair manages to capture the agony and discomfort of a relationship that’s just beginning to sour.Emma Specter, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Mass killing database:Revealing trends, details and anguish of every US event since 2006 How many school shootings took place in 2024?Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
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What follows is a study in guilt, responsibility, and anguish, all told in ashamed interiority on Murphy’s face.Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Advertisement The new footage also offers glimpses of Superman’s civilian persona, Clark Kent, bustling into the offices of the Daily Planet, as well as his colleague Lois Lane (portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan) and nemesis Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult).Tracy Brown, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
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To add a layer, Kitty’s former nemesis and reluctant roommate Min Ho (Sang Heon Lee) confessed his feelings for her.Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near affliction
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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