Definition of AFFLICTIONS (original) (raw)
1
: a cause of persistent pain or distress
2
: great suffering
felt empathy with their affliction
3
: the state of being afflicted by something that causes suffering
her affliction with polio
Synonyms
Examples of affliction in a Sentence
She lost her sight and is now learning to live with her affliction. He died from a mysterious affliction.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Despite their reputation as a winter affliction, chapped lips seem to strike year-round. —
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Dec. 2024 Republicans, however, suffer from an inverse affliction, a form of congenital overconfidence that comes straight from the leader who has reinvented the G.O.P. in his braggadocious image. —Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024 Later medical literature sometimes painted lovesickness as an affliction that affected men in particular. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024 The brand’s initial products—balms and salves—are crafted specifically to address chronic muscle pain and inflammation, common afflictions for anyone who’s put their body through rigorous physical demands. —Javier Hasse, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for affliction 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English affliccioun "misery, distress, self-inflicted pain," borrowed from Anglo-French afflicion, borrowed from Late Latin afflīctiōn-, afflīctiō, from Latin afflīgere "to afflict" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3
Time Traveler
The first known use of affliction was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near affliction
Cite this Entry
“Affliction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affliction. Accessed 31 Dec. 2024.
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Last Updated: 29 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences
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