Master confusing words with ease
Afflict vs. Inflict
Afflict
/əˈflɪkt/Examples:
The disease continues to afflict the remote village.His harsh words seem to afflict her deeply.Untreated, the condition can afflict the nervous system.
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Antonyms:
Inflict
/ɪnˈflɪkt/Examples:
He didn't mean to inflict pain on his friend.The manager didn't want to inflict longer hours on the team.The new law might inflict financial hardship on families.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Afflict often points to something that causes persistent suffering or pain.
- Inflict involves imposing something harmful or unpleasant on someone or something.
- Remember that afflict tends to be passive; its what happens to someone, whereas inflict is active; its what someone does to another.
- Affliction is typically endured, while infliction is enacted.
- Affliction can be internal or external, but infliction is typically an external action imposed.
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