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Definition of afflict

afflict

/əˈflɪkt/
af · flict
Adverb:afflictively
•
Adjective:afflictive
•
Past Simple:afflicted
•
Past Participle:afflicted
•
Present Participle:afflicting
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afflict Lexical Profile

afflict Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To cause persistent pain, distress, or suffering to someone or something (typically of a disease, misfortune, or problem; often used in the passive).

Example

"Seasonal droughts frequently afflict the agricultural regions of the country."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for afflict
Antonyms
View all antonyms for afflict

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'afflict' with 'inflict'. A disease or problem afflicts a person (or a person is afflicted with/by it), whereas someone inflicts pain or punishment on/upon a victim.

• Rhymes for afflict

• Nearby Words

affirmatively
affirmer
affix
afflict
affliction
affluence
affluent

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English from Latin 'afflictus', the past participle of 'affligere' ('to dash down, overthrow, or distress'), formed from 'ad-' ('to') and 'fligere' ('to strike').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Afflict. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/afflict
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