afflictive

adjective

af·flic·tive ə-ˈflik-tiv

Synonyms of afflictive next

: causing affliction : distressing, troublesome

afflictive emotions

afflictively adverb

Examples of afflictive in a Sentence

the afflictive disease known as shingles is a reactivation of the virus that causes chicken pox

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.

Perhaps this afflictive uncertainty can be redefined. —

Krista Stevens, Longreads, 26 Apr. 2018

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French afflictif, going back to Middle French, borrowed from Medieval Latin afflīctīvus, from Latin afflīctus (past participle of afflīgere "to afflict") + -īvus -ive

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of afflictive was in 1576

See more words from the same year