inflicted; inflicting; inflicts
1
a
: to give by or as if by striking
inflict a painful sting
inflict damage
b
: to cause (something unpleasant) to be endured
… inflict my annual message upon the church itself if it might derive benefit thereby.—
Mark Twain
Mark Twain2
: afflict
Examples of inflict in a Sentence
These insects are capable of inflicting a painful sting.
Recent Examples on the Web
On August 3, 2014, Daesh launched a devastating attack on Sinjar, inflicting widespread atrocities on the Yazidi community.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
If America can mend that contract before Trump and his MAGA movement inflict lasting damage…then there is still hope.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
The prosecution’s case will primarily focus on the abuse inflicted on three women, Johnson said: Ventura, Jane, a single mom whom Combs met in 2020, and Mia, Combs’ former personal assistant.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025
The satellite evidence provides independent confirmation of the damage inflicted on one of Pakistan's most critical military installations.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
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Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
If America can mend that contract before Trump and his MAGA movement inflict lasting damage…then there is still hope.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
The prosecution’s case will primarily focus on the abuse inflicted on three women, Johnson said: Ventura, Jane, a single mom whom Combs met in 2020, and Mia, Combs’ former personal assistant.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 12 May 2025
The satellite evidence provides independent confirmation of the damage inflicted on one of Pakistan's most critical military installations.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflict. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inflict
verb
in·flict
in-ˈflikt 
1
: to give by or as if by striking
inflict a wound
2
: to cause (something damaging or painful) to be endured
inflict punishment
infliction
noun
-ˈflik-shən
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