AFFLICTIONS Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

afflictions

noun

plural of affliction

as in distresses

a state of great suffering of body or mind she listened with deep affliction as her daughter told her about the latest trouble she was in

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as in curses

a source of harm or misfortune alcohol has been his affliction ever since he took his first drink at the age of 12

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as in demons

a source of persistent emotional distress suffered from afflictions that only a professional therapist could deal with

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as in injuries

something that causes loss or pain cronyism and corruption are afflictions on the body politic

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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.

Recent Examples of afflictions Their afflictions have been called everything from hysteria to demonic possession. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026 Anyone arguing otherwise either believes in human enslavement, has no grasp of history, or suffers from both afflictions. — Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2026 Some of this criticism can be chalked up to differing interpretations of the science, and of how best to treat stubborn afflictions such as anxiety and depression when all of the remedies have potential downsides. — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 From ancient Rome to early modern England, it was recommended for treating a wild spectrum of afflictions—from simple sores to the bubonic plague. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026 And yet, besieged by the same afflictions of greed, self-interest and a comical inability to work together, horse racing is doing its damndest to similarly mess up its very good thing. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026 But the payoff, Zehnder argues, could be potential cures for our afflictions drawn from the great tree of life. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 13 July 2026 People commonly used tobacco to treat many ailments, including indigestion, respiratory problems, pain and loathsome mouth afflictions. — Katherine Ott, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Nearly 90 percent of respondents reported injuries or illness on the job — afflictions that spanned heat stroke to exposure to pesticides. — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 4 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for afflictions

Noun

Pain, infection, medication side effects, and other physical and emotional distresses may be expressed through shouting, intimidating gestures, kicking, pushing, or punching.

— Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026

Definition of distresses

Noun

Vieira said the show offers another opportunity for people to discover Rockport beyond the fictional curses portrayed in the series.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026
But repression isn’t a good plan when generations-long curses run in the bloodline, because Sally’s daughter Kylie (Joey King), now a college student, has gone and fallen in love behind her mother’s back.

— Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of curses

Noun

Rest assured, the only demons in Phony appear to be figurative.

— Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
More specifically, this collision of AI in education and the resurgence of race demons makes for a precarious time in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computing (STEM) education.

— Kamau Bobb October 21, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of demons

Noun

Pittsburgh’s late arrival in Paris and injuries elsewhere are concerns, but the rushing and defensive advantages outweigh them at this number.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Officers found an unconscious adult man who was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries.

— Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of injuries

Noun

The couple took pains to preserve historical details like the house's original wooden shutters.

— Sophie Caldwell,Valentina Duarte, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
Nearly every single recipe from the Fizz’s golden age takes pains to specify that it should be made very cold, served without ice, and consumed immediately after delivery, an instruction that may seem pedantic but is nonetheless ubiquitous.

— Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of pains

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affliction

afflictions

afflictive

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“Afflictions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/afflictions. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of afflictions

noun

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