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Afflict: meaning, definitions and examples

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afflict

 

[ əˈflɪkt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

cause suffering

To afflict means to cause pain or suffering to someone or something. It can refer to physical, emotional, or mental suffering.

Synonyms

distress, plague, torment, trouble

Examples of usage

  • He was afflicted with a rare disease.
  • The country was afflicted by natural disasters.
  • She was afflicted by grief after the loss of her loved one.
Context #2 | Verb

affect negatively

To afflict can also mean to affect or trouble someone in a negative way, causing harm or difficulty.

Synonyms

damage, harm, hurt, wound

Examples of usage

  • The economic crisis afflicted millions of families.
  • The war afflicted the entire region.

Translations

Translations of the word "afflict" in other languages:

🇵🇹 afligir

🇮🇳 पीड़ित करना

🇩🇪 plagen

🇮🇩 menyiksa

🇺🇦 завдавати страждань

🇵🇱 dręczyć

🇯🇵 苦しめる

🇫🇷 affliger

🇪🇸 afligir

🇹🇷 ıstırap vermek

🇰🇷 괴롭히다

🇸🇦 يؤلم

🇨🇿 trápit

🇸🇰 trápiť

🇨🇳 折磨

🇸🇮 mučiti

🇮🇸 kvelja

🇰🇿 азаптау

🇬🇪 წამება

🇦🇿 əziyyət vermək

🇲🇽 afligir

Etymology

The word 'afflict' comes from the Latin word 'affligere', which means 'to strike down'. The term has been used in English since the 14th century. Originally, it was primarily used in the context of physical suffering, but over time, its usage expanded to include emotional and mental distress as well.

See also: affliction.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,813, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.