inflicted; inflicting; inflicts
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
Mark Twain2
: afflict
Examples of inflict in a Sentence
These insects are capable of inflicting a painful sting.
Recent Examples on the Web
Indeed, Denmark are the side who inflicted the last genuine shock at the European Championship, in 2017.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Retiree pensions continue to inflict great pain on municipal finances, gobbling up more than 20% of general fund dollars in at least a half-dozen Orange County cities.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 18 July 2025
And that is exactly what this administration has been doing: inflicting trauma, severing bonds, creating more pain in the name of policy.
—Xochil Rivera, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2025
Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs, his big, ugly budget bill, and the havoc that his immigration raids are spreading in the vulnerable industries of agriculture, hospitality and construction will inflict misery on all but the wealthiest sectors of the economy.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
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Michael Cox, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Retiree pensions continue to inflict great pain on municipal finances, gobbling up more than 20% of general fund dollars in at least a half-dozen Orange County cities.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 18 July 2025
And that is exactly what this administration has been doing: inflicting trauma, severing bonds, creating more pain in the name of policy.
—Xochil Rivera, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2025
Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs, his big, ugly budget bill, and the havoc that his immigration raids are spreading in the vulnerable industries of agriculture, hospitality and construction will inflict misery on all but the wealthiest sectors of the economy.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflict. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
noun
-ˈflik-shən
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