inflict crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk, your ultimate resource for solving challenging crossword clues. Below, you'll find comprehensive answers and explanations for "inflict crossword clue" to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "inflict crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
HARM: To cause injury or damage to someone or something.
5 Letters
CAUSE: To make something, especially something bad, happen.
WREAK: To cause (a great deal of damage or problems).
6 Letters
IMPOSE: To force something unwelcome or unfamiliar to be accepted or put in place.
7 Letters
INFLICT: To cause something unpleasant or painful to be suffered by someone or something.
10 Letters
ADMINISTER: To dispense or apply (something, typically a punishment or justice).
More About "inflict crossword clue"
The word "inflict" typically means to cause something unpleasant or painful to be suffered by someone or something. In the context of a crossword clue, it commonly points to answers that involve the act of causing, dealing, or imposing a negative outcome. This can range from physical harm to emotional distress or consequences.
Understanding the nuances of "inflict" allows crossword solvers to consider a broader range of synonyms. For example, while HARM is a direct result of inflicting, words like CAUSE, WREAK, or IMPOSE describe the action itself from different angles. Crossword constructors often play on these subtle differences, requiring solvers to think about the precise meaning intended by the clue's phrasing and the available letter count.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider Synonyms: For clues like "inflict," always brainstorm a wide range of synonyms. Words with similar meanings but different connotations (e.g., to 'deal' a blow, to 'mete' out punishment) can often be the correct answer.
- Check Surrounding Letters: Once you have a few potential answers, see which one fits best with the letters from intersecting words you've already solved. This is often the most reliable way to confirm an answer.
- Think About Word Length: The number of letters is a critical constraint. If "inflict" could be HARM (4 letters) or IMPOSE (6 letters), the given number of blanks in the puzzle will guide you.
- Review the Clue's Context: Sometimes, the surrounding clues or the puzzle's theme can hint at whether a more literal or figurative answer is expected. Is it a historical, literary, or common-usage context?
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "inflict" typically mean in a crossword context?
In crosswords, "inflict" usually points to answers related to causing harm, pain, suffering, or consequences. Synonyms like 'deal', 'wreak', 'cause', 'impose', or even 'mete' are common solutions, depending on the required word length and surrounding clues.
Why are there multiple answers for "inflict crossword clue"?
Crossword clues often have multiple valid answers depending on the specific puzzle's theme, other crossing words, and the intended word length. "Inflict" can have various synonyms that fit different letter counts, all accurately describing the act of causing something unpleasant.
How can I determine the correct answer when there are several options for an 'inflict' clue?
The best way is to use the intersecting letters from other solved clues. The exact number of letters required for the answer is also crucial. Sometimes, the overall theme or specific phrasing of the clue can provide subtle hints, guiding you to the most appropriate synonym.