Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Afflicting · Af·flict·ing · IPA /əflˈɪktɪŋ/ 01 a. Grievously painful; distressing; afflictive; as, an afflicting event. -- Af*flict"ing*ly, adv. 1. Grievously painful; distressing; afflictive; as, an afflicting event. -- Af*flict"ing*ly, adv.