Meaning & Definition of Inflict in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: to impose something unpleasant or painful on someone.

  Example Sentence: The storm inflicted significant damage on the coastal towns.

• Definition: to cause someone to experience something damaging or painful.

  Example Sentence: She did not want to inflict any more pain on her family.

• Definition: to bring about something undesirable.

  Example Sentence: His actions inflicted a sense of betrayal among his friends.

Etymology

Origin: from Latin 'infligere' meaning 'to strike against'.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• inflict damage: to cause harm to something or someone
• inflict pain: to cause suffering or discomfort
• inflict punishment: to impose a penalty or consequence for an offense

Translations

• Spanish: infligir

• French: infliger

• German: zufügen

• Russian: наносить

Related Words

• afflict: to cause pain or suffering to someone.

• impose: to force something unwelcome to be accepted.

Slang Meanings of inflict

• Meaning: hit hard or cause trouble, often used in informal contexts

  Example Sentence: Don't inflict drama on me right now!

• Meaning: to put someone in a tough situation

  Example Sentence: He really inflicted chaos at the party last night.