inflict

Inflict is a transitive verb that means to cause something unwelcome or harmful to be suffered by someone or something. It is used when an actor imposes harm, pain, damage, penalties, or other adverse outcomes on a subject. The harm or burden is something the recipient endures as a result of the action or event. Common uses include inflicting damage, injuries, pain, casualties, or penalties.

Etymology and form: Inflict derives from Latin inflictus, the past participle of inflicere, meaning “to strike upon” or “to lay upon.” The word elements point to the sense of bringing a force or consequence onto another. The noun form is infliction, and related forms include inflicting (present participle) and inflicted (past participle).

Usage notes: Inflict emphasizes causation by an agent and is typically object-directed: one inflicts something on someone. The opposite perspective is that someone or something suffers the outcome. In legal or formal writing, phrases such as “inflict damages” or “inflict a penalty” may appear, though more common constructions describe the damages or penalties as being awarded, imposed, or suffered. Synonyms include impose, administer, deal, or mete out, especially in the context of punishment or penalties. Related terms include afflict (to cause suffering more generally) and infliction (the act or instance of inflicting).