What does inflict mean?

Definitions for inflict
ɪnˈflɪktin·flict

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word inflict.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. inflict, bring down, visit, imposeverb

    impose something unpleasant

    "The principal visited his rage on the students"

Wiktionary

  1. inflictverb

    To thrust upon; to impose.

    They inflicted terrible pains on her to obtain a confession.

  2. Etymology: * From Latin infligere, from in-, + fligere, "to strike".

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. To INFLICTverb

    To put in act or impose as a punishment.

    Etymology: infligo, inflictus, Latin; infliger, Fr.

    I know no pain, they can inflict upon him,
    Will make him say I mov'd him to those arms. William Shakespeare.

    Sufficient is this punishment which was inflicted. 2 Cor. ii.

    What the potent victor in his rage
    Can else inflict. John Milton.

    What heart could wish, what hand inflict this dire disgrace? John Dryden, Æn. b. vi.

    By diseases we condemn ourselves to greater torments than have been yet invented by anger or revenge, or inflicted by the greatest tyrants upon the worst of men. William Temple.

ChatGPT

  1. inflict

    Inflict is a verb that generally refers to causing or imposing something unwelcome, harmful, or unpleasant to someone or something, such as pain, injury, damage or certain punishment.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Inflictverb

    to give, cause, or produce by striking, or as if by striking; to apply forcibly; to lay or impose; to send; to cause to bear, feel, or suffer; as, to inflict blows; to inflict a wound with a dagger; to inflict severe pain by ingratitude; to inflict punishment on an offender; to inflict the penalty of death on a criminal

  2. Etymology: [L. inflictus, p. p. of infligere to strike on, to inflict; pref. in- in, on + fligere to strike. Cf. Flail.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Inflict

    in-flikt′, v.t. to lay on: to impose, as punishment.—n. Inflic′tion, act of inflicting or imposing: punishment applied.—adj. Inflict′ive, tending or able to inflict. [L. inflictus, infligĕrein, against, fligĕre, to strike.]

Suggested Resources

  1. Inflict

    Inflict vs. Afflict -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Inflict and Afflict.

British National Corpus

  1. Verbs Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'inflict' in Verbs Frequency: #1076

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce inflict?

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of inflict in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of inflict in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of inflict in a Sentence

  1. Getty Images:

    They want to inflict a strategic defeat on us and climb all over our nuclear facilities, so I’d like to make the announcement today that Russia is suspending its participation in the START Treaty.

  2. Jordan Belfort:

    When you live your life by poor standards, you inflict damage on everyone who crosses your path, especially those you love.

  3. Deputy Prime Minister Marwan Muasher:

    The aim was to inflict the largest number of casualties.

  4. Roy Moore:

    We are in the midst of a spiritual battle with those who want to silence our message, the forces of evil will lie, cheat, steal – even inflict physical harm – if they believe it will silence and shut up Christian conservatives like you and me.

  5. Carl Jung:

    If people can be educated to see the lowly side of their own natures, it may be hoped that they will also learn to understand and to love their fellow men better. A little less hypocrisy and a little more tolerance towards oneself can only have good results in respect for our neighbor; for we are all too prone to transfer to our fellows the injustice and violence we inflict upon our own natures.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

inflict#10000#34028#100000

Translations for inflict

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"inflict." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 5 Jan. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/inflict>.

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    an unpleasant or disastrous destiny
    A doom
    B interrogate
    C attend
    D jeopardize

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