as in to impose
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 inflict
The government says the hardship is the consequence of an unjust war inflicted on Iranians by the US and Israel.
—
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Virginia senators want to inflict their tyrannical gun strategy on entire country.
—FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The most frightening shooters are not these yahoos, but the smart ones—those who carefully plan, train, and choose their settings to inflict maximum damage.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2026
Kolkata spinners Varun Chakravarthy (2-33) and Sunil Narine (1-23) choked the scoring, while pacers Vaibhav Arora (2-24) and Kartik Tyagi (1-41) also inflicted damage.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Tim Lister, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026
Virginia senators want to inflict their tyrannical gun strategy on entire country.
—FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
The most frightening shooters are not these yahoos, but the smart ones—those who carefully plan, train, and choose their settings to inflict maximum damage.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2026
Kolkata spinners Varun Chakravarthy (2-33) and Sunil Narine (1-23) choked the scoring, while pacers Vaibhav Arora (2-24) and Kartik Tyagi (1-41) also inflicted damage.
—ABC News, 26 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
Verb
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The metaphor perfectly fits the 6-foot-5 Jordan, who casts an imposing figure on the mound.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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The proposal would impose a one-time tax of up to 5% on taxpayers and trusts with assets valued at more than $1 billion, with some exclusions, such as property.—
Queenie Wong,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Over the past decade, Pau has created a series of media installations about the bauhinia, exploring different methods of rendering scientific data as sound and light.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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One clear choice creates stability.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy botched an uncontested breakout pass, and Tage Thompson hounded Fraser Minten to force a turnover.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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The resulting uproar forced the resignation of the chief Sinaloa prosecutor.—
Steve Fisher,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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April 20 – May 20 The right choice today brings both comfort and quiet confidence.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
26 Apr. 2026
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Taurus April 20 – May 20 The right choice today brings both comfort and quiet confidence.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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