Dictionary
inflict
to cause another person to experience something unpleasant
His actions inflicted heavy losses on the firm.
Common Mistakes
- Afflict and inflict both mean to cause some sort of harm, but afflict refers more specifically to pain, suffering or other unhappiness. Impose is an synonym of inflict, whereas torment and trouble are synonyms of afflict.
Phrase Bank
- Your actions inflicted injury on the claimant.
- Counsel demanded that the judge inflict a suitable punishment.
- The company was capable of inflicting a lot of damage.
- The court order was designed to inflict harm on the defendants.