infuse

verb

in·​fuse in-ˈfyüz How to pronounce infuse (audio)
infused; infusing

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to be permeated with something (such as a principle or quality) that alters usually for the better
infuse the team with confidence
b
: introduce, insinuate
… a new spirit was infused into American art …Amer. Guide Series: NY
2
: inspire, animate
the sense of purpose that infuses scientific research
3
: to steep in liquid (such as water) without boiling so as to extract the soluble constituents or principles
4
: to administer or inject by infusion
stem cells were infused into the patient
infuser noun
Choose the Right Synonym for infuse

infuse, suffuse, imbue, ingrain, inoculate, leaven mean to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout.

infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

Examples of infuse in a Sentence

She has infused her followers with confidence. He has found ways to infuse new energy into his performances. She has infused confidence into her followers. His work is infused with anger. The tea should be allowed to infuse for several minutes. You should infuse the tea for several minutes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For her part, BunnaB, beloved for her infectious, near-constant laughs, has separated herself from this ascendant pack by infusing her bubbly disposition, girl’s girl attitude, unfettered authenticity — and the unmistakable gravity of earning a second shot. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025 This nod to farmhouse style effortlessly infuses rustic charm without a major shopping spree. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Nov. 2025 Public education has remained a divisive issue in Texas as some state legislators have supported bills that would infuse religion into schools, including by requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms across the state. Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025 Like other cloud software companies, HubSpot is trying to infuse AI into the business, and convince Wall Street that the technology is poised to be a catalyst for efficiency and expansion. Jaures Yip, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infuse

Word History

Etymology

Middle English infusen (usually in past participle enfusid, infused) "to pour in, introduce, soak," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French enfuser (in past participle enfusé) "to steep," borrowed from Latin infūsus, past participle of infundere "to pour in, instill, cause to fall or stream," from in- in- entry 2 + fundere "to pour, shed, cast, send forth, disperse" — more at found entry 5

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of infuse was in 1526

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Cite this Entry

“Infuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infuse. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

infuse

verb
in·​fuse in-ˈfyüz How to pronounce infuse (audio)
infused; infusing
1
: to put in as if by pouring
infused courage into her followers
2
: to steep without boiling
infuse tea

Medical Definition

infuse

verb
in·​fuse in-ˈfyüz How to pronounce infuse (audio)
infused; infusing

transitive verb

1
: to steep in liquid (as water) without boiling so as to extract the soluble constituents or principles
2
: to administer or inject by infusion especially intravenously
infuse the blood with glucose
infuse a solution of lactate

intransitive verb

: to administer a solution by infusion

More from Merriam-Webster on infuse

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