An affliction is something which causes physical or mental suffering.
[formal]
Hay fever is an affliction which arrives at an early age.
...the afflictions of modern society.
Synonyms: misfortune, suffering, trouble, trial More Synonyms of affliction
affliction in British English
(əˈflɪkʃən)
noun
1.
a condition of great distress, pain, or suffering
2.
something responsible for physical or mental suffering, such as a disease, grief, etc
affliction in American English
(əˈflɪkʃən)
noun
1.
an afflicted condition; pain; suffering
2.
anything causing pain or distress; calamity
SYNONYMY NOTE: affliction implies pain, suffering, or distress imposed by illness, loss, misfortune, etc.;, trial suggests suffering that tries one's endurance, but in a weaker sense refers to annoyancethat tries one's patience; , tribulation describes severe affliction continuing over a long and trying period; , misfortune is applied to a circumstance or event involving adverse fortune and to the sufferingor distress occasioned by it
Word origin
ME affliccion < OFr affliction < L afflictio
Examples of 'affliction' in a sentence
affliction
This was to me a great affliction.
Christianity Today (2000)
This is a common affliction of fibreglass.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
We all know people who suffer from this affliction.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
How great is this affliction?
Julia Keay ALEXANDER THE CORRECTOR (2004)
It's a particularly modern affliction.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
His grandfather also suffered a similar affliction after spending four years working on the Burma Railway.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In fact, considering what a common affliction deafness is, it does not figure very largely in the annals of literature.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I have to say I admire my own courage in admitting to suffering this affliction.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
affliction
British English: affliction NOUN
An affliction is something which causes physical or mental suffering.
Hay fever is an affliction which arrives at an early age.
American English: affliction
Brazilian Portuguese: aflição
Chinese: 折磨人的事物
European Spanish: aflicción
French: affliction
German: Leiden
Italian: disturbo
Japanese: 苦悩
Korean: 고통
European Portuguese: aflição
Latin American Spanish: aflicción
(noun)
Definition
something that causes physical or mental suffering
Hay fever is an affliction that arrives at an early age.
Synonyms
misfortune
He had had his full share of misfortunes.
suffering
It has caused terrible suffering to animals.
trouble
She tells me her troubles. I tell her mine.
trial
the trials of adolescence
disease
the disease of racism eating away at the core of our society
pain
Her eyes were filled with pain.
distress
There was little support to help them in their distress.
grief
misery
There is no point dwelling on the miseries of the past.
plague (informal)
the cynicism which is the plague of our generation
curse
She has worked hard to reverse the curse of racism.
ordeal
the painful ordeal of identifying the body
sickness
a sickness that affects children
torment
We spent our days in torment, waiting for news.
hardship
Many people are suffering economic hardship.
sorrow
the joys and sorrows of family life
woe
He listened to my tale of woe.
adversity
He showed courage in adversity.
calamity
This course of action could only end in calamity.
scourge
Vandalism is a scourge that is ruining our beautiful town.
tribulation
the trials and tribulations of everyday life
wretchedness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of adversity
Definition
very difficult or hard circumstances
He showed courage in adversity.
Synonyms
hardship,
trouble,
distress,
suffering,
trial,
disaster,
reverse,
misery,
hard times,
catastrophe,
sorrow,
woe,
misfortune,
bad luck,
deep water,
calamity,
mishap,
affliction,
wretchedness,
ill-fortune,
ill-luck
in the sense of calamity
Definition
a disaster or misfortune
This course of action could only end in calamity.
Synonyms
disaster,
tragedy,
ruin,
distress,
reversal of fortune,
hardship,
catastrophe,
woe,
misfortune,
downfall,
adversity,
scourge,
mishap,
affliction,
trial,
tribulation,
misadventure,
cataclysm,
wretchedness,
mischance
in the sense of curse
Definition
something that causes great trouble or harm
She has worked hard to reverse the curse of racism.