inflict

as in to impose
to cause someone to accept or experience something unwanted The criminal inflicted a lifetime of distress on his unsuspecting victims.

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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 inflict Coupled with damaging frosts, these harsh conditions have inflicted significant harm on coffee crops, fueling a sharp rise in global prices. Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 17 July 2025 Israel is committed to preventing continued harm from being inflicted on the Druze in Syria. Sawsan Natour-Hasson, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 July 2025 On the other hand, there’s room in America for Afrikaners from South Africa, the white minority of Dutch origin who claim they are being persecuted and subject to violence inflicted by the majority Black population. Howard Simon, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025 Since early 2024, according to an estimate by Mykhailo Samus, a researcher in Kyiv, about eighty per cent of its losses in men and matériel have been inflicted by drones. Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
Verb
  • For months, Trump had threatened, but held off on, imposing new sanctions against Russia's oil industry.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 14 July 2025
  • The president said on Monday that the U.S. will impose 100% tariffs on countries that engage in trade with Russia if there is no peace deal to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Complete the Look Banana Republic Factory Linen-Blend Quilted Jumpsuit A set of coveralls like this linen-blend style can create a stylish no-fuss outfit.
    Rylee Johnston, People.com, 27 July 2025
  • The cab seats swivel around to create a four-person dining lounge, and the rear bench includes two seatbelts for carrying a total of four occupants when driving.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • In Sweden, municipalities were forced to communicate offline using paper memos.
    Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Glaser told Variety that her shift in wardrobe allowed viewers to see that she’s taken control of her life, no longer following the gaudy colors and costumes her mother forced upon her in previous seasons.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Paddling on the waters that sustain their lands reminds them of the sacrifices their families endured to preserve their fishing and hunting rights, their ongoing struggle to restore a watershed the size of West Virginia, the fight to bring fire and salmon back to the lands and waters.
    Debra Utacia Krol, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2025
  • The Tennessee Chamber of Commerce recently held its inaugural Infrastructure Summit in Nashville as a way to bring local government and the public and private sectors together to talk about change, officials said.
    Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 21 July 2025

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“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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