inflict
gb/ɪnflˈɪkt/ us/ɪnflˈɪkt/
B2
English
~ 8500
okoz, ráerőltet, terhel
VERB
B2
1
okoz
B1
Usage pattern:
to inflict [something unpleasant] on [someone/something]
The storm inflicted heavy damage on the coastal towns.
A vihar súlyos károkat okozott a tengerparti városokban.
The dictator’s forces inflicted terrible suffering on civilians.
A diktátor csapatai szörnyű szenvedést okoztak a civileknek.
The crash inflicted severe injuries on several passengers.
They were accused of inflicting unnecessary pain on the animals.
International law prohibits the infliction of cruel or inhuman treatment on prisoners.
Learner examples
The fire inflicted great damage on the old house.
A tűz nagy károkat okozott a régi házban.
The disease inflicted a lot of pain on him.
A betegség rengeteg fájdalmat okozott neki.
The bully inflicted serious harm on the younger boy.
The long war inflicted great suffering on the people.
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"inflict to"* instead of *"inflict on"*. The correct pattern is *"inflict [something] on [someone/something]"*, for example: *"The war inflicted great suffering on the country"*, not *"inflicted great suffering to the country"*. Another mistake is using *"inflict"* for neutral or positive things; it is used only for harmful or very unpleasant things.
Meaning
cause harm or suffering to someone
Collocations
inflict pain
|inflict serious injuries
|inflict damage
|inflict suffering
|inflict punishment
|inflict a wound
Synonyms
impose (Often used more broadly; can be less harsh and not only about physical or severe emotional harm.)
Antonyms
relieve (Emphasizes taking away pain or suffering, the opposite of causing it.)
Themes
violence
|health
|law
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to make someone or something suffer pain, harm, or something very unpleasant
To cause harm, injury, damage, or other unpleasant effects to be suffered by someone or something.
VERB
C1
2
Usage pattern:
to inflict [something unwanted] on [someone]
I don’t want to inflict my problems on you, but I really need some advice.
Nem akarom rád zúdítani a problémáimat, de tényleg szükségem van egy kis tanácsra.
The company shouldn’t inflict such sudden changes on its employees.
A cégnek nem kellene ilyen hirtelen változásokat ráerőltetnie az alkalmazottaira.
He has a habit of inflicting his political opinions on everyone at the table.
We tried not to inflict our schedule on the rest of the group.
New regulations were inflicted on small businesses with almost no consultation.
Learner examples
I don’t want to inflict my bad mood on my family.
Nem akarom a rosszkedvemmel terhelni a családomat.
The teacher should not inflict more homework on tired students.
A tanárnak nem kellene még több házi feladattal terhelnie a fáradt diákokat.
He inflicts his stories on anyone who sits next to him.
They inflict many new rules on their staff every year.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *"inflict"* for neutral or positive things, such as *"inflict a gift"* or *"inflict a surprise"*. This is incorrect: *"inflict"* is used only for things that are clearly unwanted, unpleasant, or burdensome. Also, the preposition is *"on"*, not *"to"* or *"for"*.
Meaning
force unwanted things on someone
Collocations
inflict his views on
|inflict endless meetings on staff
|inflict changes on
|inflict extra work on
|inflict his problems on
|inflict bureaucracy on
Synonyms
impose (Very close in meaning; slightly more common and can be used for both mild and strong cases of forcing something on others.)
Antonyms
spare (To avoid making someone go through something unpleasant, the opposite of forcing it on them.)
Themes
social
|communication
|work
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Definition
to make someone accept or deal with something they do not want, like your ideas, problems, or work
To force someone to accept, deal with, or experience something they do not want, such as views, problems, or duties.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inflict
IPA
GB/ɪnflˈɪkt/
US/ɪnflˈɪkt/
Syllables & stress
in - flict (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (flict)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: inflict
- 3rd Person Singular: inflicts
- Present Participle: inflicting
- Past: inflicted
Word family
Forms
inflicts
verb
inflicting
verb
inflicted
verb
Core family
infliction
noun
Related words
afflict
verb
affliction
noun B2
Expressions
inflict oneself on someone
1/ɪnflˈɪkt wˌʌnsˈɛlf ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌn/
idiom
force your unwanted company on someone
to make someone spend time with you even though they do not want to
Examples
- I didn’t want to inflict myself on them for the whole weekend, so I booked a hotel.
- He tends to inflict himself on colleagues who are too polite to tell him to leave.
- They kindly invited me, but I didn’t want to inflict myself on their family dinner.