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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affliction
Notably, the author draws a distinction between loneliness and solitude, with latter being a personal choice and not an affliction.
—
Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
This affliction is ultimately among the most common causes of death for former bile bears, as the years of cruelty can never be fully erased.
—Ryley Graham, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025
Bruno Fernandes suffers from a similar affliction, taking more shots per 90 than both Zirkzee and Højlund (2.66) but from worse locations (like Garnacho, just 0.09 xG per shot).
—Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Freedom, and the afflictions of poverty and inequality, weighed heavily on the minds of Rancho Bernardo and Poway residents during the past couple of weeks.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Michael Peregrine, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
This affliction is ultimately among the most common causes of death for former bile bears, as the years of cruelty can never be fully erased.
—Ryley Graham, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025
Bruno Fernandes suffers from a similar affliction, taking more shots per 90 than both Zirkzee and Højlund (2.66) but from worse locations (like Garnacho, just 0.09 xG per shot).
—Brett Koremenos, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
Freedom, and the afflictions of poverty and inequality, weighed heavily on the minds of Rancho Bernardo and Poway residents during the past couple of weeks.
—Harvey Levine, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
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Extreme heat can also be an obstacle to exercising, spending time in nature, and socializing, all of which can make people feel good and also double as important coping mechanisms for emotional distress.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
26 July 2025
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During pregnancy, their mothers endured heat, as well as dehydration and emotional distress.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Noun
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July always arrives with a blend of sunshine and sorrow for me.—
Belal Aftab,
Mercury News,
13 July 2025
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Having had time to process all she’s gone through over the last few years, Edwards has channeled her grief into the new album (out now), which sees the musician navigating her pain while trying to find beauty in her sorrow.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Perfection is a blessing and a curse for Virgo parents.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
15 July 2025
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Also, the fact that Ken gets cursed by a crazy old ghost actually helps Momo in her alien abduction predicament, with Momo’s newfound spiritual abilities helping to curb Ken’s curse.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Noun
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It was emptied of us and, therefore, full of dunes and demons, bogs and bleeding trees.—
Devon Walker-Figueroa,
The New York Review of Books,
3 July 2025
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Things become messy when a popular rival boy band – The Saja Boys – are revealed to be demons.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
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However, the East is drastically weakened as a result of injuries to Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton.—
DJ Siddiqi,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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In 2001, the Ig Nobel Prize in medicine went to Peter Barss of McGill University in Canada for his 1984 survey of injuries due to falling coconuts in Papua New Guinea.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 July 2025
Noun
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The point isn’t just to resolve in-the-moment agony.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
16 July 2025
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Jamal Musiala was writhing in agony, but what really hit hard was the way players on both teams were reacting to the Bayern Munich forward’s injury.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Noun
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But the first lady and I are here in Texas to express the love and support and the anguish of our entire nation in the aftermath of this really horrific and deadly flood.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
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Ming-Na Wen Tapped Into Deep Emotions To Play Dr. Fong In ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ While Ming-Na Wen doesn’t throw a punch in Karate Kid: Legends, that doesn’t mean her character hasn’t been in past battles, particularly those dealing with mental anguish.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Noun
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Kelly and Jack’s Fight About Christina Aguilera Kelly, now 40, and Jack got into a drag-out fight when Jack danced with Kelly’s nemesis — Christina Aguilera — in season 2.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
22 July 2025
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Marvel has made clear that the studio is preparing the Fantastic Four’s most iconic nemesis, Dr. Doom, for a forthcoming film, but the planet-obliterating combo of Galactus and Silver Surfer hardly feel like second best.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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