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
Rico Lewis had endured a torrid time at right-back in City’s 2-0 loss against Tottenham Hotspur, and the following weekend, Matheus Nunes gave away the penalty that saw Brighton & Hove Albion come from behind to inflict a second consecutive defeat on Pep Guardiola’s side.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Israel has also essentially normalized direct strikes inside Iran’s borders and demonstrated its ability to inflict significant damage to the regime.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 14 Sep. 2025
But that's not what AI boosters keep talking about, and AI hype is inflicting real-world consequences.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2025
Chambers’ defense attorney, Abram Genser, argued any injuries Chambers may have inflicted were not life-threatening, and Dadkhah died instead of a brain bleed caused by excessive methamphetamine use.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
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Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Israel has also essentially normalized direct strikes inside Iran’s borders and demonstrated its ability to inflict significant damage to the regime.
—Ian Bremmer, Time, 14 Sep. 2025
But that's not what AI boosters keep talking about, and AI hype is inflicting real-world consequences.
—Rob Pegoraro, PC Magazine, 14 Sep. 2025
Chambers’ defense attorney, Abram Genser, argued any injuries Chambers may have inflicted were not life-threatening, and Dadkhah died instead of a brain bleed caused by excessive methamphetamine use.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 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 Sep. 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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