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
There was nothing in the news release about renewable energy or the harms inflicted by climate change — such as the fires that tore through Los Angeles County last month, which scientists say were worsened by fossil fuels.
—Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025
New Orleans may not have soccer, but its bond with the NFL and major U.S. sports events runs deep, as emphasized following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, when almost 1,400 people died and severe economic damage was inflicted on the city.
—Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
For many Iranians, aggressive police enforcement of laws that require women to wear the hijab adds insult to the injuries inflicted by Iran’s economic isolation.
—Ian Bremmer, TIME, 2 Feb. 2025
Diaz said the effects are reminiscent of those inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which likewise hit the community harder than most.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inflict 
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Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2025
New Orleans may not have soccer, but its bond with the NFL and major U.S. sports events runs deep, as emphasized following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, when almost 1,400 people died and severe economic damage was inflicted on the city.
—Adam Crafton, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025
For many Iranians, aggressive police enforcement of laws that require women to wear the hijab adds insult to the injuries inflicted by Iran’s economic isolation.
—Ian Bremmer, TIME, 2 Feb. 2025
Diaz said the effects are reminiscent of those inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which likewise hit the community harder than most.
—Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inflict
Dictionary Entries Near inflict
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inflict. Accessed 11 Feb. 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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