afflict
C1Formal; often found in written English, news reporting, medical/psychological contexts, and literature.
Definition
Meaning
to cause pain, suffering, or trouble to someone; to trouble greatly or distress.
Often used in contexts of disease, misfortune, or persistent negative conditions affecting individuals or groups. Implies an external force causing sustained distress.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The subject is usually the cause (a disease, condition, problem). The object is the person/group that suffers. Often used in passive voice ('to be afflicted by/with'). Carries a tone of sympathy for the afflicted party.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Slight preference in UK English for 'afflicted with' for medical conditions, while US may use 'afflicted by' slightly more for abstract troubles, though both prepositions are used interchangeably.
Connotations
Equally formal and serious in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; perhaps slightly more common in American news media regarding social issues.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Someone/Some group] is afflicted by/with [something negative].[Something negative] afflicts [someone/some group].The afflicting [condition/problem].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Afflicted with the Midas touch (ironic, rare)”
- “The afflictions of Job (biblical reference to great suffering)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in reports: 'The sector is afflicted by supply chain issues.'
Academic
Common in medical, sociological, and historical texts: 'Populations afflicted by famine.'
Everyday
Uncommon in casual speech. Used for serious topics: 'He's afflicted with terrible migraines.'
Technical
Medical/psychological: 'patients afflicted with Parkinson's disease'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- A mysterious illness began to afflict the cattle in the valley.
- The government's policies have afflicted the poorest communities for decades.
- She has been afflicted with rheumatism since her fifties.
American English
- Drought and locusts afflict the farmland every few years.
- He's afflicted by a deep sense of anxiety since the accident.
- Areas afflicted by high unemployment need targeted support.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as 'afflictively', not recommended for learners.)
American English
- (Rarely used as 'afflictively', not recommended for learners.)
adjective
British English
- The afflicted families received support from the charity.
- Medical aid was rushed to the afflicted region.
American English
- Programs are in place to help the afflicted population.
- The afflicted patient was referred to a specialist.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Many people are afflicted with the common cold every winter.
- The old dog was afflicted by deafness.
- The economic crisis has afflicted the entire country, leading to widespread unemployment.
- He has been afflicted with self-doubt since the project failed.
- The coastal towns were severely afflicted by the typhoon, with many homes destroyed.
- A rare genetic disorder afflicts approximately one in ten thousand individuals.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A FLICTion' – like adding a painful 'fliction' (infliction) onto someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUFFERING IS AN EXTERNAL AGENT/ATTACKER (e.g., 'Disease afflicts the community').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'conflict' (конфликт). 'Afflict' is about suffering, not disagreement.
- The Russian 'поражать' can mean both 'to afflict' (a disease) and 'to strike/amaze'. Ensure context is negative/suffering.
- Avoid using for temporary, minor annoyances; it implies serious, prolonged trouble.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'inflict' and 'afflict' interchangeably. Remember: You INflict pain ON someone. A problem AFFlicts someone. (Subject differs)
- Using in too casual a context: 'The noisy neighbours afflicted me.' (Incorrect – too strong)
- Incorrect preposition: 'afflicted from' (use 'by' or 'with').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'afflict' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
You INFLICT something (pain, punishment) ON someone. Something (a problem, disease) AFFLICTS someone. The subject of 'inflict' is the cause; the subject of 'afflict' is the sufferer in passive constructions ('He is afflicted...').
Yes, but typically for serious or persistent ones (e.g., 'afflicted by depression/anxiety/guilt'). Not for fleeting moods.
No, it's relatively formal and used more in writing, journalism, and academic contexts. In casual speech, people might say 'suffers from', 'has trouble with', or 'is plagued by'.
Primarily 'by' and 'with'. Often interchangeable. Slight nuance: 'afflicted with' a disease/condition; 'afflicted by' a problem/force ('afflicted by poverty/misfortune').