as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally
the afflicting sight of so many earthquake victims was too much even for some hardened rescue workers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to
the South was afflicted by a severe drought he's been afflicted by nightmares ever since the accident
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 afflicting
Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
One key focus of these efforts should address the deficiencies afflicting the market for biologics, which are medicines made or derived from biological processes.
—Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
To be sure, this rash of robberies pales in comparison with the crime levels afflicting less affluent neighborhoods on the South and West sides.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
And yet, because the show requires quite a bit of prior knowledge for viewers to truly know what’s going on, particularly in the back half of the season, Born Again ends up suffering the exact same malady afflicting every other inch of the MCU enterprise.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
Egg prices have jumped to all-time highs due in part to an outbreak of avian flu, or bird flu, that has been afflicting egg-laying hens in the US since 2022.
—Jennifer Hauser, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Egg prices have skyrocketed to all-time highs due in part to an outbreak of avian flu, or bird flu, that has been afflicting egg-laying hens in the US since 2022.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
But when the movie begins, his bosses consider his contract killing career to be approaching its natural conclusion because of the joint pain afflicting his trigger finger.
—Natalia Winkelman, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
At the time, no one knew what was afflicting her; over the next several decades, doctors hypothesized that her symptoms were caused by everything from malnutrition to psychosis.
—Bethany Heitman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
That’s changing this year, as three Democratic governors announced new initiatives aimed at addressing disparities afflicting boys and men.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025
One key focus of these efforts should address the deficiencies afflicting the market for biologics, which are medicines made or derived from biological processes.
—Wayne Winegarden, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
To be sure, this rash of robberies pales in comparison with the crime levels afflicting less affluent neighborhoods on the South and West sides.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
And yet, because the show requires quite a bit of prior knowledge for viewers to truly know what’s going on, particularly in the back half of the season, Born Again ends up suffering the exact same malady afflicting every other inch of the MCU enterprise.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
Egg prices have jumped to all-time highs due in part to an outbreak of avian flu, or bird flu, that has been afflicting egg-laying hens in the US since 2022.
—Jennifer Hauser, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Egg prices have skyrocketed to all-time highs due in part to an outbreak of avian flu, or bird flu, that has been afflicting egg-laying hens in the US since 2022.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025
But when the movie begins, his bosses consider his contract killing career to be approaching its natural conclusion because of the joint pain afflicting his trigger finger.
—Natalia Winkelman, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
At the time, no one knew what was afflicting her; over the next several decades, doctors hypothesized that her symptoms were caused by everything from malnutrition to psychosis.
—Bethany Heitman, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflicting
Adjective
-
The film—told through Fox’s home video recordings before and during his time in prison, and original footage—chronicled their family’s life during this painful period.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
16 June 2025
-
In particular, three symptoms—vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and increased urinary tract infections, hot flashes, and sleep quality—often emerge as particularly severe for breast cancer patients.—
Chloe Castleberry,
Flow Space,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Some of them include washing with harsh shampoos, particularly those with sulfates or alcohol; overusing scalp scrubs or clarifying products; and not washing frequently enough.—
Jamie Wilson,
Glamour,
16 June 2025
-
Unlike many traditional sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate—two common culprits behind coral bleaching—reef-safe formulas skip the harsh stuff in favor of ocean-friendly alternatives that tend to also be gentler on sensitive skin.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
And for every San Antonio, there is a Utah or Washington or Charlotte that can’t believe how cruel the lottery can be.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2025
-
This is cruel, unnecessary, and will further fan the flames of economic chaos for working families across this country.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Afflicting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflicting. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share