Thesaurus results for AFFLICT

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 These are important messages for a world afflicted by war and division. —

Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 14 Apr. 2026 In the months following surgery, many women are afflicted by post-mastectomy pain syndrome, or PMPS, which spans from uncomfortable to disabling and can last years. —

CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026 By 1950 half a million people worldwide were afflicted each year. —

Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026 Gene-drive technology might be able to make wildlife less likely to spread diseases such as the one afflicting the rabbits, or malaria. —

Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for afflict

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflict

Verb

But the Cubs’ offensive woes plagued them more than a misthrow from their reliever.

— Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
By the same token, one of the biggest bugs plaguing AMC’s The Audacity may be the timing.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026