Vocabulary

af·flict

af·flict

\ə-ˈflikt\

: to cause pain or suffering to (someone orsomething)

Full Definition

transitive verb1 obsolete
a : humble
b : overthrow2 a : to distress so severely as to causepersistent suffering or anguish <afflicted witharthritis>
b : trouble, injure

Examples

the South was afflicted by a severe droughthe's been afflicted by nightmares ever sincethe accident

Origin: Middle English, from Latin afflictus,past participle of affligere to cast down, fromad- + fligere to strike - more at profligate.

First use: 14th century

Synonyms: agonize, anguish, bedevil, beset,besiege, curse, excruciate, harrow, persecute,plague, rack, torment, torture

Synonym discussion: afflict try tormenttorture rack mean to inflict on a personsomething that is hard to bear. afflict is ageneral term and applies to the causing of painor suffering or of acute annoyance,embarrassment, or any distress <ills thatafflict the elderly>. try suggests imposingsomething that strains the powers ofendurance or of self-control <children often trytheir parents' patience>. torment suggestspersecution or the repeated inflicting ofsuffering or annoyance <a horse tormented byflies>. torture adds the implication of causingunbearable pain or suffering <tortured by asense of guilt>. rack stresses straining orwrenching <a body racked by pain>.