To inflict harm or damage on someone or something means to make them suffer it.
例句
Rebels say they have inflicted heavy casualties on government forces...反叛武装称他们使政府军遭受重创。...the damage being inflicted on Britain's industries by the recession...经济衰退使英国工业遭受的损失
英汉词典释义
n.
施加,蒙受;施加的事物;痛苦的经历
the unnecessary infliction of pain and suffering带来不必要的痛苦和苦难the infliction of extremely painful punishment极端痛苦的惩罚的实行
英英词典释义
Noun
1. the act of imposing something (as a tax or an embargo)
2. an act causing pain or damage
3. something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness;
"washing dishes was a nuisance before we got a dish washer""a bit of a bother""he's not a friend, he's an infliction"