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 But the overlap with unusually frigid temperatures afflicting Florida's Space Coast and the rest of the country have turned Crew-12's launch opportunities into an intricate dance around Artemis 2. —

Josh Dinner, Space.com, 30 Jan. 2026 The dilemma facing fans on Sunday is not the sort which should afflict a club of Spurs’ stature and resources, especially not twice in the space of three seasons, and is a direct consequence of their consistent underperformance in the Premier League. —

Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026 Inspect your trees regularly for signs of disease, such as the fungal problems that afflict some trees. —

David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026 At least 50 people had been reported dead in states afflicted by the dangerous cold. —

Arkansas Online, 29 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afflict

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflict

Verb

The coach said the team took into account the possibility that Canada was also plagued by the same issue.

— Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
The grocery industry is a notoriously difficult business plagued by razor-thin margins and a highly perishable inventory.

— Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026

Definition of plague

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affixing

afflict

afflicted

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“Afflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflict. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 11 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of afflict

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