The AI-powered English dictionary
third-person singular simple present afflicts, present participle afflicting, simple past and past participle afflicted
(transitive) To cause (someone) pain, suffering or distress. quotations examples
Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Exodus 1:11–12
Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord.
1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Leviticus 23:27
[T]he wench was afflicted with religion and unapproachably austere.
1930, Norman Lindsay, Redheap, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1965, page 41
(obsolete) To strike or cast down; to overthrow. quotations
reassembling our afflicted powers
1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […]; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873,
(obsolete) To make low or humble. quotations
The Argument of mine afflicted stile
1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie
Men are apt to prefer a prosperous error before an afflicted truth.
1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […]