as in to impose
to cause someone to accept or experience something unwanted
The criminal inflicted a lifetime of distress on his unsuspecting victims.
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Recent Examples of inflict
The school's staff inflicted all manner of abuse, beatings, rapes, and torture on its unfortunate charges and even murdered many of them; as of 2012, nearly 100 deaths had been documented, along with 55 burial sites on school grounds.
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Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
In March, 2000, the dot-com bubble finally burst, and during the subsequent eighteen months the Nasdaq plunged about seventy per cent, inflicting huge losses on those who had got in near the market top.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Since 1992, at least 34 defendants accused of inflicting shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma have been exonerated.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
In fact, maybe McCartney signed a deal with the devil, and in exchange for boundless musical talent, he was required to inflict Satan's ultimate instrument of torture upon the earth.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inflict 
Ars Technica, 23 Dec. 2024
In March, 2000, the dot-com bubble finally burst, and during the subsequent eighteen months the Nasdaq plunged about seventy per cent, inflicting huge losses on those who had got in near the market top.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
Since 1992, at least 34 defendants accused of inflicting shaken baby syndrome or abusive head trauma have been exonerated.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
In fact, maybe McCartney signed a deal with the devil, and in exchange for boundless musical talent, he was required to inflict Satan's ultimate instrument of torture upon the earth.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 21 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
Verb
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Kansas imposed a proof-of-citizenship requirement more than a decade ago that grew into one of the biggest political fiascos in the state in recent memory.John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
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Acute anxiety about social and political unrest is on the minds of the rulers who control Iran and are quick to impose violence on mass dissent.Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The Black Caucus believes the fees create a roadblock for families, the media and community groups to access the public record, particularly when seeking accountability for things that affect Black and minority communities.J.D. Davidson | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Dec. 2024
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Credited with creating meaningful conversations around wealth and happiness, the self-aware comedy from Dharmatic Entertainment had been watched in 85% of India’s pin codes less than two weeks after its debut.Sara Merican, Deadline, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In 2023, the House Freedom Caucus forced the House to pass a debt limit bill with almost $5 trillion in spending cuts as an opening offer in negotiations with the White House.David Sivak, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 19 Dec. 2024
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Bodies begin to pile up as the police move in, and Daniel is forced to keep his fractured community together and catch the killer.Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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As a follow-up, Rise moves the 18th-century setting of the original into the 20th century, bringing the mysterious, powerful idol to the attention of both academic scientists and mass media executives who seek to exploit its mind-altering powers.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 22 Dec. 2024
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Saturday brought a small flurry of transactions, as the Guardians and Diamondbacks made a trade and Paul Goldschmidt and Carlos Santana found 2025 homes.Keith Law, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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