to afflict

Examples

• All

• And that chronic breathing problems are a massive issue afflicting millions of people.

  Dr. Mayim Bialik

• An enlarged prostate afflicts millions of men around the world.

  KenDBerryMD

• Because it's a, it's a problem that afflicts a lot of large organizations, private and public.

  ReasonTV

• Is it afflicting professional schools and graduate schools?

  Harvard University

• Alcohol dependence may also afflict many members of the extended family.

  Academic text (1992)

• There is a tragic disease that afflicts the men of his village in Austria.

  Junior (1994)

• I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer's disease.

  Reagan (2024)

• Two people challenged with the same medicine, or afflicted with the same ailment, will often react quite differently.

  Academic text (2011)

• The story of the Tlas family is illustrative of the turmoil afflicting Syria today.

  Academic text (2013)

• Anti-Islamism is today the most open and virulent form of bigotry that afflicts Western societies.

  Academic text (1992)

Synonyms

P

to plague

vsto afflict

122 5.6

To cause constant trouble and suffering to people and things

is the broader term for causing pain without stressing duration

T

to torment

vsto afflict

• NSFW

83 7.2

To cause someone to feel great physical or mental pain

is the general act of causing pain or suffering rather than only severe cases

A

to ail

vsto afflict

26 4.6

To cause pain, trouble, or illness to someone

focuses on causing harm beyond illness, not limited to sickness

D

to distress

vsto afflict

11 4.1

Cause someone to feel pain, worry or serious problems

is the broader act of causing pain or suffering in many ways

S

to smite

vsto afflict

• Archaic

10 9.9

Cause great pain or suffering to someone, often as punishment

is the general act of causing harm without the punitive or supernatural force

P

to pain

vsto afflict

8 1.1

To make someone feel physical hurt

is the general act of causing hurt not limited to bodily issues

A

to anguish

vsto afflict

5 7.3

To cause someone to feel very strong pain or worry

is a general cause of pain or distress without emotional emphasis

T

to trouble

vsto afflict

1 4.8

To make someone feel sick or have pain in the body

is the general act of causing pain or distress rather than making ill

A

to aggrieve

vsto afflict

• Literature

1 8.9

To cause someone pain or deep sadness

is the general act of causing pain or distress, not only sorrow

Antonyms

H

to heal

726 1.2

To become healthy again after an injury, illness, or emotional pain

C

to comfort

172 1.0

To make someone feel less upset or in pain

How Harmful

to devastate

256 4.9

to afflict

49 6.0

to injure

10 1.6

to hurt

∞ 1.0

to trouble

128 1.8

to bother

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology