to impose as something that must be borne or suffered

to inflict punishment.

to impose (anything unwelcome)

The regime inflicted burdensome taxes on the people.

to deal or deliver, as a blow.

verb

administer , apply , bring upon , command , deal out , deliver , dispense , exact , expose , extort , force , force upon , give , give it to , lay down the law , levy , mete out , require , stick it to , strike , subject , visit , wreaknotes:afflict is generally used with living beings; inflict is generally used with inanimate objectsinflict takes \'on , \' afflict takes \'with\' , impose , play , wreak , foist , saddle , afflict , dump , lay , perpetrate , trouble , unload