ENGLISH
REFERENCE

inflicted

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪnˈfɫɪktɪd// UK //ɪnflˈɪktɪd// in·flict·ed

v. to cause something unpleasant or painful to happen to someone or something else. You use this when someone is forced to experience suffering or damage.

v. to cause something unpleasant or painful to be suffered by someone or something. Transitive; typically takes a direct object representing the harm and an indirect object introduced by 'on'.


SIMPLE

The storm inflicted heavy damage on the coastal town.

CONTEXTUAL

The new tax laws inflicted significant financial hardship on small business owners throughout the region.

COMPLEX

Historians argue whether the economic sanctions inflicted more damage on the ruling elite or the vulnerable populations they were intended to protect.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and almost always pairs with the preposition 'on' or 'upon' to indicate the recipient of the harm.

Pitfall

The injury inflicted to himThe injury inflicted on himInflict takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon', not 'to'.

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