afflict
/ə-ˈflikt/
verb
to cause pain or suffering to : to distress so severely as to cause persistent suffering or anguish
trouble, injure
humble
people afflicted with arthritis
afflict try torment torture rack mean to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear. afflict is a general term and applies to the causing of pain or suffering or of acute annoyance, embarrassment, or any distress. try suggests imposing something that strains the powers of endurance or of self-control.