INFLICT

inflict, bring down, visit, impose

(verb) impose something unpleasant; “The principal visited his rage on the students”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

inflict (third-person singular simple present inflicts, present participle inflicting, simple past and past participle inflicted)

To thrust upon; to impose.

Source: Wiktionary

In*flict", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Inflicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Inflicting.] Etym: [L. inflictus, p.p. of infligere to strike on, to inflict; pref. in- in, on + fligere to strike. Cf. Flail.]

Definition: 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. What heart could wish, what hand inflict, this dire disgrace Drygen. The persecution and the pain That man inflicts on infero-ior kinds. Cowper.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition