To inflict harm or damage on someone or something means to make them suffer it. Rebels say they have inflicted heavy casualties on government forces The dog then attacked her, inflicting serious injuries. + infliction in·flic·tion without the unnecessary or cruel infliction of pain
To give, cause, or produce by striking, or as if by striking; to apply forcibly; to lay or impose; to send; to cause to bear, feel, or suffer; as, to inflict blows; to inflict a wound with a dagger; to inflict severe pain by ingratitude; to inflict punishment on an offender; to inflict the penalty of death on a criminal
{f} impose, mete out (punishment, etc.); cause something unpleasant (suffering, etc.)