# inflict

/ˌɪnˈfɫɪkt/ (US) · /ɪnflˈɪkt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inflict
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

to force someone to experience something very unpleasant or painful. You use this when someone causes suffering or damage to another person or group.

For teachers: to cause something unpleasant, such as pain, suffering, or a penalty, to be endured by someone or something. Transitive; typically implies a forced or unwelcome imposition.

## Examples

- The storm will inflict heavy damage on the coastal towns.
- The new tax laws will inflict significant financial hardship on small business owners across the region.
- Historians argue that the harsh reparations imposed after the war did more to inflict long-term psychological trauma on the population than to ensure lasting peace.

## Pitfalls

- Not "to inflict pain to someone" but "to inflict pain on someone" — Inflict typically pairs with the preposition 'on' or 'upon' rather than 'to'.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and frequently takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon' before the recipient of the action.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.