Af·flict·ing, a. Grievously painful; distressing; afflictive; as, an afflicting event. -- Af*flict"ing*ly, adv.
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Af·flict v. t. [imp. & p. p. Afflicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Afflicting.]
1. To strike or cast down; to overthrow. [Obs.] “Reassembling our afflicted powers.”
2. To inflict some great injury or hurt upon, causing continued pain or mental distress; to trouble grievously; to torment.
They did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. --Exod. i. 11.
That which was the worst now least afflicts me. --Milton.
3. To make low or humble. [Obs.]
Men are apt to prefer a prosperous error before an afflicted truth. --Jer. Taylor.
Syn: -- To trouble; grieve; pain; distress; harass; torment; wound; hurt.