afflict

UK: /əˈflɪkt/ US: /əˈflɪkt/ ,(ə flikt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

af•flict /əˈflɪkt/   v. [~ + object; often: be + afflicted + with]

1. to cause distress or great trouble with mental or bodily pain:
   to be afflicted with arthritis.

af•flic•tion /əˈflɪkʃən/  n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

af•flict  (ə flikt′), v.t. 

1. to distress with mental or bodily pain;
   trouble greatly or grievously:
   to be afflicted with arthritis.
2. [Obs.]
   • to overthrow;
     defeat.
   • to humble.

• Latin. See inflict
• Middle French aflit
• Latin afflīctus distressed, past participle of afflīgere to cast down (af- af- + flīg- knock + -tus past participle suffix); replacing Middle English aflight
• Middle English afflicten 1350–1400

af•flict′ed•ness, n. 
af•flict′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. vex, harass, torment, plague.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

afflict / əˈflɪkt/ verb

1. (transitive) to cause suffering or unhappiness to; distress greatly

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin afflictus, past participle of afflīgere to knock against, from flīgere to knock, to strike

afˈflictive adjective