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
In the genre, the Central American auteur found a piercing vehicle to discuss the sociopolitical afflictions of his homeland.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024
From Hillary Clinton’s private email server to disappearing messages on encrypted apps during the Trump era, the erosion of formal communication protocols has become a bipartisan affliction.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Now, the two pair their boundary-less creative freedom and turn it toward providing a mirror to modern-day afflictions, on this brooding look at mental health and depression.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
An account believed to be his on an online forum called Tapatalk posted about the affliction between 2009 and 2012, and a high school friend of Kohberger’s also confirmed his condition, the Statesman previously reported.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024
From Hillary Clinton’s private email server to disappearing messages on encrypted apps during the Trump era, the erosion of formal communication protocols has become a bipartisan affliction.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Now, the two pair their boundary-less creative freedom and turn it toward providing a mirror to modern-day afflictions, on this brooding look at mental health and depression.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
An account believed to be his on an online forum called Tapatalk posted about the affliction between 2009 and 2012, and a high school friend of Kohberger’s also confirmed his condition, the Statesman previously reported.
—Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affliction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affliction
Noun
-
At the Santa Monica test location after the rains, the level of beryllium — a metal that is toxic to fish and corals and causes respiratory distress in humans — was more than 10 times the maximum limit allowed.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The result: Some doctors and hospitals have held back on treatments, waiting for the fetal heartbeat to stop or for patients to wind up in undeniable distress.—
Kavitha Surana,
ProPublica,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
His eyes filled with sorrow as his mom gave Lola all the attention.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
-
Emotions and sorrow were palpable even though Prine has been dead for nearly five years.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The annual cost-of-living adjustment Social Security recipients receive is both a blessing and a curse.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Homewood’s location on the western shore of Lake Tahoe is both a blessing and a curse.—
Megan Michelson,
Outside Online,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
There are extravagant rock concerts, evil giant babies, fiery demons, and of course, the odd robot as well.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
And some of the mistakes are of actual blood on his hands, and he’s got demons floating around in his soul, as well as on the ceiling or climbing the walls or whatever.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This isn't the first time Monk has suffered a major injury late in the season.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Apr. 2025
-
However, in just his third game of the season following a return from the IL due to a right hamstring injury, Tauchman re-injured his leg.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
His experiences at Fuchu Prison left him with frostbite, screaming in agony, after being exposed to sub-zero temperatures during 20 days in solitary confinement.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
-
What began as a blissful afternoon in the Florida sun ended in agony when a Jeep Wrangler suddenly barreled over a man lying on the beach, police said.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In the episode, Duran describes his mental anguish during that time and some of the steps he’s taken since then to improve his mental health.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
-
And all of that anguish of going through that process of retrying to develop my body in a way that will never be the same anyway.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Ahead of the March 8 trade deadline, the Panthers added defenseman Seth Jones, then shocked the hockey world by acquiring longtime nemesis and former Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand.—
Carol Schram,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
-
Kasie finds records tying Gemma to Parker’s (Gary Cole) old nemesis, Kansas City mob boss Carla Marino (Rebecca De Mornay).—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affliction. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share