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Definition of "afflict" []

  • To inflict grievous physical or mental suffering on. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "afflict" in a sentence
  • "That he will not afflict, that is, that he will not afflict willingly; it is no pleasure to him to grieve the children of men, much less his own children."
  • "Sundry marplots, such as afflict all public bodies did, indeed, start to their feet, but a universal cry of ` ` question '' drowned all their efforts, and Mr. Raymond's motion was carried, to all appearance unanimously."
  • "It took place in the bed-room, where, as usual save on Sunday morning, Ada consumed her strong tea and heavily buttered toast; the state of her health -- she had frequent ailments, more or less genuine, such as afflict the indolent and brainless type of woman -- made it necessary for her to repose till a late hour."
  • "That he will not afflict, that is, that he will not afflict willingly; it is no pleasure to him to grieve the children of men, much less his own children."
  • "Sundry marplots, such as afflict all public bodies did, indeed, start to their feet, but a universal cry of ` ` question '' drowned all their efforts, and Mr. Raymond's motion was carried, to all appearance unanimously."
  • "It took place in the bed-room, where, as usual save on Sunday morning, Ada consumed her strong tea and heavily buttered toast; the state of her health -- she had frequent ailments, more or less genuine, such as afflict the indolent and brainless type of woman -- made it necessary for her to repose till a late hour."