afflicting Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb cause great unhappiness for; distress
    afflict.
    • she was afflicted by the death of her parents
  2. verb cause physical pain or suffering in
    smite; afflict.
    • afflict with the plague

WordNet

Af*flict"ing adjective
Definitions
  1. Grievously painful; distressing; afflictive; as, an afflicting event. -- Af*flict"ing*ly, adv.

Webster 1913