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
The exhibition also examines when violence is inflicted upon religious groups.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024
In a lawsuit filed Monday in Denver District Court, attorneys for Ray claimed the company violated the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, breached a contract with Ray, failed to act in good faith and inflicted emotional distress by revoking her tickets and banning her from games for the season.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inflict 
Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2024
In a lawsuit filed Monday in Denver District Court, attorneys for Ray claimed the company violated the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, breached a contract with Ray, failed to act in good faith and inflicted emotional distress by revoking her tickets and banning her from games for the season.
—Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inflict
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inflict.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inflict
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflict. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
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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