as in imposing
to cause someone to accept or experience something unwanted
The criminal inflicted a lifetime of distress on his unsuspecting victims.
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Recent Examples of inflicting
Heathcliff then returns, years later and bearing a mysterious windfall of newfound wealth, with the express goal of inflicting as much cruelty and pain as possible on the remaining members of the Earnshaw and Linton families.
—
Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
But Kaszas’ ultimate destiny had nothing to do with inflicting — or receiving — bruises, contusions or broken limbs.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Waves of deadly air strikes by Russia’s Sukhoi and Tupolev jets, working in concert with Iranian and Shiite militias, shifted the momentum on the battlefield, inflicting fierce blows on the rebel forces.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
But Escobedo quickly acknowledged that there’s nothing to stop the thieves from coming back, and inflicting the same harm.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Salazarmontano also admitted sentencing enhancements for fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter and inflicting great bodily injury on the victim.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
Jones said the charges include sentencing enhancements for using a deadly weapon, inflicting great bodily injury and committing an offense while on bail or released on his own recognizance in an unrelated felony case.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Most of them were in the South, where weekend blasts of freezing rain caused tree limbs and power lines to snap, inflicting crippling outages on northern Mississippi and parts of Tennessee.
—Russ Bynum, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Most of the outages were in the South, where weekend blasts of freezing rain caused tree limbs and power lines to snap, inflicting crippling outages on northern Mississippi and parts of Tennessee.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Megan McCluskey, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
But Kaszas’ ultimate destiny had nothing to do with inflicting — or receiving — bruises, contusions or broken limbs.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Waves of deadly air strikes by Russia’s Sukhoi and Tupolev jets, working in concert with Iranian and Shiite militias, shifted the momentum on the battlefield, inflicting fierce blows on the rebel forces.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
But Escobedo quickly acknowledged that there’s nothing to stop the thieves from coming back, and inflicting the same harm.
—Sam Blum, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Salazarmontano also admitted sentencing enhancements for fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter and inflicting great bodily injury on the victim.
—City News Service, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
Jones said the charges include sentencing enhancements for using a deadly weapon, inflicting great bodily injury and committing an offense while on bail or released on his own recognizance in an unrelated felony case.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
Most of them were in the South, where weekend blasts of freezing rain caused tree limbs and power lines to snap, inflicting crippling outages on northern Mississippi and parts of Tennessee.
—Russ Bynum, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Most of the outages were in the South, where weekend blasts of freezing rain caused tree limbs and power lines to snap, inflicting crippling outages on northern Mississippi and parts of Tennessee.
—Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflicting
Verb
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Couple his extroverted on-pitch personality and his, in theory, imposing 6ft 4in (195cm) frame that can be equally languid and driving in style, Onana should have all the characteristics to play among the elite.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Last year, Republicans passed legislation to reduce spending on federal health programs and food assistance, largely by imposing work requirements on people receiving aid and by shifting certain costs onto the states.—
ALI SWENSON,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The company has compared the cost of creating a biodrone to that of building a conventional unmanned aerial vehicle, emphasizing that birds require no battery recharging and can fly farther in a single day.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
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Her daughter, Nina Greipel, fulfilled a promise to patrons by creating a cookbook of the restaurant's recipes.—
Amanda Hancock,
Louisville Courier Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In August 2024, students stormed her official residence, smashing walls and looting its contents, forcing her to flee into neighboring India and exile.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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In 2022, gilt markets were shaken when then-Prime Minister Liz Truss announced a swathe of unfunded tax cuts — forcing an intervention from the Bank of England and leading to Truss’ resignation after just 44 days into the job.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The superstars of the NHL will return to Winter Olympic action later on Wednesday, bringing with them thousands of fans from across the world, but it’s been far from a smooth buildup to the Games.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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In 2024, Nathan launched her own bicoastal firm, The Agency Group (TAG), bringing along some former Hiltzik Strategies colleagues as well as clients including Depp, Drake, Logan Paul, The Chainsmokers and key K-pop producer Hybe America.—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflicting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflicting. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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