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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Inflict: Definition, Examples, and Usage Tips (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：impose suffering (inflict)

inflict 🔊

/ɪnˈflɪkt/

vt.

to force something unpleasant onto someone, especially something that causes mental pain.

Inflict meaning: parent imposing schoolwork on stressed teenager

impose suffering 🔊

➕

/ɪmˈpoʊz ˈsʌfərɪŋ/

vt.

To force something unpleasant or painful onto someone, typically causing emotional or mental harm.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'inflictus', from 'in-' (into) + 'fligere' (to strike).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine you are 'in a conflict' and you 'inflict' a blow. The 'in' and 'flict' sound like 'in fight'.

📖 Example

The boss's harsh criticism inflicted a lot of stress on the employees. 🔊 The boss's harsh criticism inflicted a lot of stress on the employees.

🔗 Collocations

inflict pain – to cause physical or emotional suffering

inflict punishment – to impose a penalty or sanction

inflict damage – to cause harm or injury

🔄 Synonyms

impose (vt.) – to force something unwelcome on someone

wreak (vt.) – to cause or inflict (harm or vengeance)

exact (vt.) – to demand and obtain (something, especially revenge) from someone

🚫 Antonyms

relieve (vt.) – to cause pain or difficulty to become less severe

alleviate (vt.) – to make suffering or a problem less severe

remove (vt.) – to take away or eliminate something unpleasant

🌱 Derivatives

infliction (n.) – the act of inflicting something

inflictor (n.) – a person who inflicts

📖 Cultural Story

In ancient Rome, 'infligere' meant to strike physically. Today, 'inflict' is used for imposing pain or punishment, often in legal or emotional contexts.

Meaning 2：cause injury (inflict)

inflict 🔊

/ɪnˈflɪkt/

vt.

to cause damage or injury to someone or something, especially in a fight or conflict.

Inflict injury: knight striking armor in historical duel

cause injury 🔊

➕

/kɔːz ˈɪndʒəri/

vt.

To cause physical harm or damage to someone or something, especially in a fight or violent encounter.

📁 Category：Warfare & Battle 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

During the historical battle, the fighter managed to inflict a serious wound on his opponent. 🔊 During the historical battle, the fighter managed to inflict a serious wound on his opponent.

🔗 Collocations

inflict a wound – to cause an injury, especially a cut or tear in the skin

inflict casualties – to cause deaths or injuries in a conflict

inflict damage – to cause physical harm to something

🔄 Synonyms

deal (vt.) – to deliver or administer (a blow)

cause (vt.) – to make something happen, especially something bad

administer (vt.) – to give or apply (a blow or punishment)

🚫 Antonyms

heal (vt.) – to make someone healthy again after an injury

protect (vt.) – to keep someone or something safe from harm

prevent (vt.) – to stop something from happening

🌱 Derivatives

infliction (n.) – the act of inflicting something

inflictor (n.) – a person who inflicts