Inflicted
/ɪnˈflɪktɪd/
verbB2past tense, past participle
Definition
To inflict means to make someone suffer something unpleasant, like pain, damage, or harm. It often involves causing problems or injury intentionally or as a result of an action. For example, a person can inflict pain by hitting, or a storm can inflict damage on buildings.
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See It in Action
To cause pain, injury, or suffering to someone or something
- •The attacker inflicted serious injuries on the victim.
- •The harsh winter inflicted damage on the crops.
- •The doctor said the treatment might inflict some pain.
To cause harm or negative effects as a result of an action
- •The company inflicted financial losses on its competitors.
- •The earthquake inflicted great destruction on the city.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "inflicted" like "hurt" (A1 word), but with more focus on causing pain or damage to others, often on purpose or because of an event
- ✓Picture someone giving a strong push that causes another person to fall and get hurt
- ✓It's the feeling when someone causes pain or trouble to another person, like when you get a bad cut or a strong punishment
- ✓Sounds like "in-FLICK-ted" → imagine a quick "flick" that causes something bad to happen suddenly
- ✓Think of stories where a villain inflicts pain on a hero to create conflict or drama
- ✓NOT like "hurt" (which can happen by accident or naturally), "inflict" usually means causing harm through an action or decision
- ✓NOT like "receive" (getting something), "inflict" means to give or cause something bad to happen
- ✓NOT like "heal" (making better), "inflict" is the opposite, causing damage or pain
Try Other Words
- •Cause: to make something happen (Use when the effect may be good or bad, and the action is general)
- •Impose: to force something unpleasant on someone (Use when talking about rules, punishments, or burdens)
- •Deal: to give or cause (Use in informal contexts, often with cards or damage)
- •Administer: to give or apply something (Use in formal contexts, like medicine or punishment)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "in-" meaning "into" or "on"
- •Root: "flict" from Latin "fligere" meaning "to strike or hit"
- •Etymology: From Latin "inflictus," past participle of "infligere," meaning to strike against or cause damage
- •Historical development: Used since the 15th century to describe causing pain or punishment
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in law, medicine, and everyday language to describe causing harm or damage
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be inflicted without meaning to cause harm? How does intention change the meaning?
•How does the word "inflicted" change the way we think about responsibility for pain or damage?
Fill in the blanks
1.The storm inflicted ___ damage on the coastal town, destroying many homes.
2.When someone inflicts pain, they usually do it ___, not by accident.
3.Unlike "receive," to inflict means you ___ the pain or harm on someone else.
4.The doctor warned that the treatment might inflict ___ discomfort during recovery.
5.The army inflicted heavy losses on the enemy during the battle, meaning they caused ___ damage.
6.People who inflict harm often have to ___ the consequences of their actions.
7.The company was accused of inflicting ___ financial damage on its competitors through unfair practices.