affliction
A condition causing pain or suffering
Examples
In a meeting
“Chronic stress has become a common affliction among healthcare workers.”
Over coffee
“Seasonal allergies are my worst affliction every spring.”
Why this word
illness
affliction emphasizes the suffering and burden caused by a condition, while illness simply denotes the state of being unwell
problem
affliction conveys persistent suffering or hardship, while problem is any difficulty without the connotation of ongoing distress
disease
affliction emphasizes the experience of suffering from a condition, while disease focuses on the medical condition itself
Usage tip
Use for serious health conditions or persistent problems. More formal than 'problem' and conveys ongoing suffering.
Etymology
Latin 'afflictio' meaning 'a striking down', from 'affligere' (to strike down)
Get a new word every morning
One precise word per day. Under 60 seconds to read. Free forever.
Related words
contagious
Capable of spreading from person to person rapidly
malady
A disease or ailment affecting physical or mental health
regimen
A prescribed course of treatment, diet, or exercise
immunize
Protect against disease or negative influence
preventative
Designed to stop something from happening before it occurs
symptom
A physical or mental feature indicating a condition or problem