Definition

1. Verb:
   • To cause persistent pain, suffering, or distress: To affect someone or something with something unpleasant, such as illness, pain, or severe unhappiness.
   • To trouble or burden grievously: To be a source of great hardship or misery.

Usage

The verb "afflict" is typically used in more formal or serious contexts. It describes a state of being burdened by something negative, often over a period of time. It is commonly used in the passive voice (e.g., "to be afflicted with/by...").

Examples

• Verb:
  • A severe drought afflicted the region for three consecutive years.
  • He is afflicted with a rare neurological condition.
  • The news of the tragedy afflicted the entire community with profound grief.

Advanced Usage

• "To be afflicted with": This is the most common construction, used especially for diseases, ailments, or persistent problems.
  • She has been afflicted with arthritis since her fifties.
• "To be afflicted by": Often used for causes of distress or misfortune.
  • The villagers were afflicted by a sudden famine.

Variants and Related Words

• Affliction (n): A state of pain, suffering, or distress; the cause of such a state.
  • Poverty remains a major affliction in some parts of the world.
• Afflicted (adj): Suffering from an affliction.
  • The charity provides aid to afflicted families.

Synonyms

• Torment: To cause severe and persistent suffering.
• Plague: To cause continual trouble or distress.
• Bedevil: To torment or harass persistently.
• Trouble: To cause distress or worry (less severe than "afflict").

Antonyms

• Soothe: To gently calm or relieve.
• Comfort: To ease grief or trouble.
• Relieve: To alleviate pain, distress, or difficulty.

Related Phrases

• "Afflict the comfortable": A phrase suggesting that those who are secure or prosperous should be made aware of suffering or injustice.
  • The journalist's role is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

Verb

1. cause physical pain or suffering in
   • afflict with the plague
2. cause great unhappiness for; distress
   • she was afflicted by the death of her parents