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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in injury
something that causes loss or pain
cronyism and corruption are afflictions on the body politic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of affliction
Autism is not an affliction nor a catastrophic tragedy.
—
S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025
In the Nikola Jokic era of the Denver Nuggets, one of the team’s perennial afflictions has been a consistently poor performance by their bench relative to the rest of the NBA.
—Joel Rush, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
We are told to find consolation in the creative and prolific souls who share the affliction: the Brontës, Baudelaire, Kafka, Proust, Nabokov.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
The character was meant to be a nod to the friend that the Whannell family lost, while creating an early parallel to the affliction that Blake suffers upon his return home in 2025.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 29 Jan. 2025
In the Nikola Jokic era of the Denver Nuggets, one of the team’s perennial afflictions has been a consistently poor performance by their bench relative to the rest of the NBA.
—Joel Rush, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
We are told to find consolation in the creative and prolific souls who share the affliction: the Brontës, Baudelaire, Kafka, Proust, Nabokov.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
The character was meant to be a nod to the friend that the Whannell family lost, while creating an early parallel to the affliction that Blake suffers upon his return home in 2025.
—Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
-
Get ahead of a tween’s difficult feelings by recognizing the early signs of emotional distress, such as disruption in sleep and less interest in their hobbies, and reroute all-or-nothing thoughts, suggests Daniel Huy, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at Hackensack Meridian Health.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
4 Mar. 2025
-
The lawsuit alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and loss of consortium, which allows for recovery of damages for relationships that are mutually dependent.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Now his parents have photos of Sammy on the North Carolina campus during a visit, a condolence letter from the university and deep sorrow for a life cut short.—
Michael Cuglietta,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Mar. 2025
-
But Magnani elevates Serafina into a lightning storm of rage, sorrow, and vengeance.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
As the phenomena intensify, Skye realizes she may have been marked by the same curse that claimed so many lives before her.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Episode 5 - Le Curse of Leclerc: Charles Leclerc breaks the Monaco curse in this episode by winning the Grand Prix and explaining the emotional importance of the feat.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The temple is famous for its towering gopurams (gateway towers), each covered in a riot of colors and adorned with intricate sculptures of deities, demons, and mythical creatures from Hindu mythology.—
Shalbha Sarda,
Architectural Digest,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Here, Hausmann-Stokes talks to Deadline about his upbringing, confronting personal demons, uncovering nuanced and engaging Veteran stories.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Her roommate called 911, and emergency responders found Zhuang suffering from multiple upper-body injuries, officials said.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2025
-
Might an injury to Crane’s most expensive free-agent addition accelerate that timeline?—
Chandler Rome,
The Athletic,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Challenges of rebuilding Victims who lost homes will be faced with the decision whether to rebuild — which can be agony.—
Tony Saavedra,
Orange County Register,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Then, Cara’s killshot was followed by her screams of agony at her dire circumstances.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But last year's Olympics were also a major source of anguish.—
Christopher Intagliata,
NPR,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Every repeat viewing of Abraham's performance reveals some new moment of humiliation — some fresh sickening glimmer of anguish that feels all too familiar.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In 2023, Barrow thought to bring together Dylan and MGK while taking a swipe at his eternal nemesis the Weeknd.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The most powerful country in the world, which was — for good reason — Putin’s biggest nemesis until only two months ago, is now rolling out the red carpet for him, parroting his talking points, chastising and weakening his adversaries, and blaming his victims for his offenses.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Orlando Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share