as in to impose
to cause someone to accept or experience something unwanted
The criminal inflicted a lifetime of distress on his unsuspecting victims.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of inflict
Few other states in the region seem very sorry at the reverses inflicted on the moribund regime of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
—
Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
The success of this mission led to regular daylight bombing raids, which inflicted high casualties for U.S. air crews, according to historyplace.com.
—Sheila Yount, arkansasonline.com, 5 Jan. 2025
The storm flooded homes and inflicted major damage across the western coast of Florida, pushing up a massive surge of water throughout the Tampa Bay area before marching into Georgia and the Carolinas.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
But his policies have inflicted widespread hardship.
—María Magdalena Arréllaga, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inflict 
Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
The success of this mission led to regular daylight bombing raids, which inflicted high casualties for U.S. air crews, according to historyplace.com.
—Sheila Yount, arkansasonline.com, 5 Jan. 2025
The storm flooded homes and inflicted major damage across the western coast of Florida, pushing up a massive surge of water throughout the Tampa Bay area before marching into Georgia and the Carolinas.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 28 Dec. 2024
But his policies have inflicted widespread hardship.
—María Magdalena Arréllaga, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inflict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inflict
Verb
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The Boston City Council plans to discuss the possibility of imposing a new local tax on sodas and other sugary drinks.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
16 Jan. 2025
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He was held in contempt last week in the New York case for failing to turn over assets to Freeman and Moss, though U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman has not yet imposed any sanctions on Giuliani for contempt.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Rolls-Royce was asked to fulfil this order and created a single limousine for the Royal Mews – the same vehicle is said to still be in operation up to the present day.—
Trinity Francis,
Forbes,
15 Jan. 2025
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Winter weather may also cause power outages and create potentially dangerous driving conditions.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The Palisades and Eaton Fires have destroyed thousands of homes, killed at least 25 people and forced more than 150,000 residents to evacuate from their homes.—
Daniel Kreps,
Rolling Stone,
18 Jan. 2025
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To avoid insolvency, the plan could be forced to lean on its member carriers.—
Laurence Darmiento,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Another storm system is expected to pass north of the Kansas City region, bringing the chance of snow flurries along the Missouri and Iowa border on Sunday.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2025
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In my own experience, one of the most rewarding projects involved a renewable energy startup aiming to bring affordable solar energy to rural areas.—
Michael Shribman,
Forbes,
9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near inflict
Cite this Entry
“Inflict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inflict. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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