afflicted; afflicting; afflicts
1
Examples of afflict in a Sentence
The disease afflicts an estimated two million people every year.
the South was afflicted by a severe drought
Recent Examples on the Web
Loan defaults, foreclosures, and hotel property auctions due to distressed financing show that an array of ailments afflict the region’s lodging market.
—
George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Last year the Make-A-Wish Foundation flew Luke, who was afflicted with a rare life-threatening blood disorder in high school, to Denver to meet his hero.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026
Embarrassment could have been a factor in the rash decision, but Trump is not a man who appears to be afflicted by that particular emotion, which takes its cue from a certain amount of self-awareness and humility.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Done right, a public option would lower prices while stabilizing access in areas afflicted by disparities.
—Jesse Jackson Jr, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for afflict
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George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Last year the Make-A-Wish Foundation flew Luke, who was afflicted with a rare life-threatening blood disorder in high school, to Denver to meet his hero.
—Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 8 Feb. 2026
Embarrassment could have been a factor in the rash decision, but Trump is not a man who appears to be afflicted by that particular emotion, which takes its cue from a certain amount of self-awareness and humility.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Done right, a public option would lower prices while stabilizing access in areas afflicted by disparities.
—Jesse Jackson Jr, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for afflict
Cite this Entry
“Afflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afflict. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
afflict
verb
af·flict
ə-ˈflikt 
: to cause suffering or unhappiness to
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