as in to impose
to cause someone to accept or experience something unwanted
The criminal inflicted a lifetime of distress on his unsuspecting victims.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inflict
Furthermore, as a Jewish man with a direct connection to the horrors that the Nazi regime inflicted on millions of people, Spiegelman recently collaborated with author Joe Sacco on a three-page comic about the alarming situation in Gaza.
—
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Those convictions would have increased his prison time if he had been convicted in 2013 of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2025
This includes ensuring justice for those who assault law enforcement officers or inflict violent harm on others, protecting both our officers and our communities.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 18 Feb. 2025
Plus, the youngest children were likely to show the most dramatic results since they’d be treated before SMA inflicted its worst damage.
—Robin Fields, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Those convictions would have increased his prison time if he had been convicted in 2013 of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2025
This includes ensuring justice for those who assault law enforcement officers or inflict violent harm on others, protecting both our officers and our communities.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 18 Feb. 2025
Plus, the youngest children were likely to show the most dramatic results since they’d be treated before SMA inflicted its worst damage.
—Robin Fields, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
Verb
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With the violence markedly cut down from the game, the showrunners say the need for Abby to be so imposing wasn’t as critical.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2025
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The Trump administration imposed 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, as well as 10% tariffs on imports from China.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The stunning natural scenery in the background paired with the sound of the breeze and local wildlife create a peaceful, natural ambience to keep on a second screen.—
Anusha Praturu,
Vulture,
4 Mar. 2025
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The Trump administration’s dismantling of federal agencies, led by Elon Musk, is beginning to create chaos for Western water supplies: California Rep. Mike Levin grilled an Army Corps lieutenant general about why the military dumped a bunch of water into the ground from two Central Valley dams.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Tracking the Trump administration’s rollback of climate and environmental policies can seem like being forced through a wormhole back in time.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2025
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The episode opened right where the last one left off — Britney was forced to decide Danielle’s fate at the roundtable after Danielle and Ivar tied in votes at the penultimate banishment ceremony.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The senior forward has a happy-go-lucky nature, always bringing an optimistic perspective.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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Hairstylist Efi Davies wanted to bring an air of elegance to the nostalgic look.—
Ranyechi Udemezue,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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