inflict
Definitions
To cause something painful or unpleasant to be suffered by someone or something.
使遭受，施加（痛苦、损害、惩罚等）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedin- (on, upon) + flict (strike) = "to strike a blow upon someone." The prefix aims the impact at a victim, so what you inflict is always unwelcome — damage, pain, a defeat, a punishment. You inflict something ON someone.
Root flict still carries 4 more wordsUsage Guide
- Core pattern: inflict + harm + on/upon + victim (inflict heavy losses on the enemy). The thing inflicted is always negative.
- Formal/serious register: warfare, law, injury, suffering — inflict casualties, inflict a defeat, inflict damage.
- Light/jokey use: people sometimes inflict themselves or their tastes on others — "Don't inflict your holiday photos on us." Here it humorously frames something as a burden.
- Avoid confusing the pattern with afflict: you inflict X on Y, but Y is afflicted with X (see related root note).
Example Sentences
- 1.
The storm inflicted serious damage on coastal towns.
- 2.
They were determined to inflict a crushing defeat on their rivals.
- 3.
No one has the right to inflict that kind of pain on a child.
- 4.
Please don't inflict your terrible singing on the whole office.
Easily Confused
inflict vs afflict — Both come from flīgere and both involve a blow, but the grammar flips. You inflict something ON a victim (the doer is in control: the army inflicted losses on the enemy). Someone or something is afflicted WITH/BY a trouble (the sufferer is passive: she is afflicted with arthritis). Rule of thumb: inflict has an active attacker; afflict describes a victim being troubled, often by illness.
Synonym Comparison
- inflict — to deal out something painful, with an active doer: inflict damage on
- impose — to force something (a rule, tax, burden) onto people; not necessarily painful, just unwanted
- administer — formal, neutral: to deliver/give out (administer punishment, a drug)
- wreak — literary, of destruction only: wreak havoc, wreak vengeance
- deal — informal, of blows: deal a blow, deal a heavy defeat