afflicting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of afflictingnext
as in painful
hard to accept or bear especially emotionally the afflicting sight of so many earthquake victims was too much even for some hardened rescue workers

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afflicting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of afflict
as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to the South was afflicted by a severe drought he's been afflicted by nightmares ever since the accident

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of afflicting
Verb
An audacious plan In the mid-1980s, global health agencies were otherwise occupied and heads of state largely overlooked the illness afflicting millions of their citizens. — Sam Mednick, Chicago Tribune, 30 Dec. 2024 The United States now suffers from twin pathologies—one afflicting the health of its citizens and the other the health of its political system. — Thomas J. Bollyky, Foreign Affairs, 30 Jan. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflicting
  1. painful
  2. harsh
  3. cruel
Adjective
  • For Senate Democrats, the GOP plan is painful to swallow.
    — Philip Elliott, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Like witnessing a bad car crash, Ye’s (formerly known as Kanye West) latest episodes of hate speech and misogyny have been painful to watch and continue to elicit shock and dismay from every corner of the entertainment world.
    — David Renzer, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of painful
Adjective
  • Nestled within denser parts of the clouds, the water would have been protected from being destroyed by harsh radiation from nearby stars, Latif said.
    — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Smith isn’t alone in that sentiment, as other analysts and critics have shared his harsh review of Bronny’s performance in the NBA.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of harsh
Adjective
  • In Season 2, a cruel winter brings new challenges and unfinished business to Jacob (Harrison Ford) and Cara (Helen Mirren) back at Dutton ranch.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Michael, in a filmed conversation with Grace, claimed that his ex-wife had manipulated him and was cruel to Natalia.
    — Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of cruel

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Cite this Entry

“Afflicting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflicting. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of afflicting for Spanish Speakers

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