AFFLICT Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'afflict' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of afflict are rack , torment , torture , and try . While all these words mean "to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear," afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress. // ills that afflict the elderly

Q: Where would 'rack' be a reasonable alternative to 'afflict'?

In some situations, the words rack and afflict are roughly equivalent. However, rack stresses straining or wrenching. // a body racked by pain

Q: When might 'torment' be a better fit than 'afflict'?

While in some cases nearly identical to afflict , torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance. // a horse tormented by flies

Q: In what contexts can 'torture' take the place of 'afflict'?

The synonyms torture and afflict are sometimes interchangeable, but torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering. // tortured by a sense of guilt

Q: When can 'try' be used instead of 'afflict'?

Although the words try and afflict have much in common, try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control. // children often try their parents' patience

afflict

verb

ə-ˈflikt

Definition of afflict next

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to the South was afflicted by a severe drought he's been afflicted by nightmares ever since the accident

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How is the word afflict different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of afflict are rack, torment, torture, and try. While all these words mean "to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear," afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress.

ills that afflict the elderly

Where would rack be a reasonable alternative to afflict?

In some situations, the words rack and afflict are roughly equivalent. However, rack stresses straining or wrenching.

a body racked by pain

When might torment be a better fit than afflict?

While in some cases nearly identical to afflict, torment suggests persecution or the repeated inflicting of suffering or annoyance.

a horse tormented by flies

In what contexts can torture take the place of afflict?

The synonyms torture and afflict are sometimes interchangeable, but torture adds the implication of causing unbearable pain or suffering.

tortured by a sense of guilt

When can try be used instead of afflict?

Although the words try and afflict have much in common, try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.

children often try their parents' patience

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of afflict Daniel de Visé Fourteen Spanish citizens who were on the cruise ship afflicted with a hantavirus outbreak have arrived home in Spain. —

Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 11 May 2026 Never mind the economic turbulence afflicting the country and the world, driven most recently by rising gas prices because of the war in Iran. —

Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2026 And by that, researchers mean methods to drastically reduce the amount of illness and infirmity that currently afflict people in old age. —

John Ramos, CBS News, 3 May 2026 Once diagnosed, pancreatic cancer has been a death sentence for those afflicted in the vast majority of cases. —

Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afflict

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflict

Verb

Despite that underlying tension, kids play on the street outside while the large family has a dynamic like any other — noisily squabbling, joking, or in the case of the matriarchal grandmother, Mariam (Hiam Abbass), preparing a meal in a kitchen plagued by constant utility outages.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
That's still an incredible class, especially considering the doldrums that have plagued the UCLA football program for the past decade plus.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026

Definition of plague

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“Afflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflict. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of afflict

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