Synonym Chooser

How does the verb infuse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of infuse are imbue, ingrain, inoculate, leaven, and suffuse. While all these words 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

When could imbue be used to replace infuse?

While the synonyms imbue and infuse are close in meaning, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

In what contexts can ingrain take the place of infuse?

Although the words ingrain and infuse have much in common, ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

When is inoculate a more appropriate choice than infuse?

The meanings of inoculate and infuse largely overlap; however, inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

When can leaven be used instead of infuse?

The synonyms leaven and infuse are sometimes interchangeable, but leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

When would suffuse be a good substitute for infuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to infuse, suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of infuse But infusing the college experience with the technology is deeply misguided. Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025 Known for her vibrant and eclectic mix of painting, printmaking and sculpture, Rojas infuses her work with whimsical narratives and bold, geometric forms with Surrealist echoes. Amy Carleton, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025 Harry Potter is not secretly being infused with anything. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2025 The company has been infusing artificial intelligence across its product portfolio. Jordan Novet, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infuse
Verb
  • His narration is a constant pleasure — mournful, wry, and suffused with a world-weary poetry.
    Leila Latif, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Does that ideal suffuse your work?
    Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The rise of the bias cut was a silhouette on which Robbins wanted to focus, imbuing the fluid style with elements of luxury and glamour intrinsic to the aristocracy.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But this time, Singer has gone down in size with an unusual gloss lacquer departure imbued with a dressy twist.
    Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infuse. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infuse

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