afflicting

UK: əˈflɪktɪŋ | US: əˈflɪktɪŋ

Definition

  1. vt. causing pain, suffering, or distress

  2. adj. producing physical or mental anguish

Structure
af <to, toward>flict <strike>
Etymology

The word "afflict" originates from Latin afflictare (to damage, harass), derived from affligere (to strike down), combining ad- (to) + fligere (to strike). The root flict retains its core meaning of "strike," metaphorically extended to emotional or physical suffering. The suffix -ing forms the present participle, indicating ongoing action.

Examples

  1. The drought is afflicting farmers across the region.

  2. She wrote a poem about afflicting loneliness.

  3. Chronic pain has been afflicting him for years.

  4. The disease is afflicting children disproportionately.

  5. His words were deliberately afflicting.