inflict
Cause upon another
Inflict means to cause something unpleasant or harmful to be experienced by someone or something.
The word almost always takes a negative object—you inflict pain, damage, suffering, wounds, or punishment, never joy or benefits.
The hurricane inflicted billions of dollars in damage.
She didn't want to inflict her problems on anyone else.
To inflict yourself or your company on others is to impose your unwanted presence.
Strength or compulsion
- imposeForce acceptance of
- levyCompulsory government charge
- exactPerfectly correct, no deviation
- administerManage or dispense
foist · thrust · visit · wreak · unleash · subject · perpetrate · deal
Sustained experience of distress
- agonyExtreme physical or emotional pain
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
- tortureDeliberate infliction of suffering
distress · misery · hurt · ache · sting · throb · trauma · grief
Physical or psychological harm
- lacerationTorn, ragged wound
- gashDeep, ragged incision
- cutSeverance or reduction
- stabPierce with point
slash · puncture · abrasion · contusion · bruise · scar · lesion · trauma
Suffering from difficult circumstances
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- strainExcessive stretching force
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- ordealDifficult, painful experience
tribulation · toll · weight · yoke · encumbrance · devastation · havoc · destruction
Punishment for wrongdoing
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
consequence · vengeance · justice · chastisement · correction · penance · reprisal · castigation
force
Strength or compulsion
administer · foist · thrust · visit · wreak · unleash · subject · perpetrate · deal · deliver
suffering
Sustained experience of distress
- agonyExtreme physical or emotional pain
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- tormentSevere prolonged suffering
torture · distress · misery · hurt · ache · sting · throb · trauma · grief · soreness
injury
Physical or psychological harm
- lacerationTorn, ragged wound
- gashDeep, ragged incision
- cutSeverance or reduction
stab · slash · puncture · abrasion · contusion · bruise · scar · lesion · trauma · damage
hardship
Suffering from difficult circumstances
- sufferingSustained experience of distress
- strainExcessive stretching force
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
ordeal · tribulation · toll · weight · yoke · encumbrance · devastation · havoc · destruction · ruin
penalty
Punishment for wrongdoing
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
sanction · consequence · vengeance · justice · chastisement · correction · penance · reprisal · castigation · wrath