infest

verb

Save Word

in·fest | \ in-ˈfest

infested; infesting; infests

Definition of infest

transitive verb

1 : to spread or swarm in or over in a troublesome manner a slum infested with crime shark-infested waters

2 : to live in or on as a parasite

Other Words from infest Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about infest

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from infest

infestant \ in-ˈfe-stənt

\ noun

infestation \ ˌin-ˌfe-ˈstā-shən

\ noun

infester \ in-ˈfe-stər

\ noun

Examples of infest in a Sentence

in desperation, we called in an exterminator because the house was infested with ants

Recent Examples on the Web Mealybugs feed on plants and will infest many different types of houseplants and quickly spread through your collection. — Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Mealybugs can put houseplants in a sticky situation — here’s how to get rid of them," 27 Dec. 2020 The familiar holiday species often infest stately trees such as oaks or poplar: In winter, when these trees are leafless, the parasites’ green, Truffula-like clumps are easy to spot dotting their host tree’s branches. — Rachel Ehrenberg, Smithsonian Magazine, "The Biology of Mistletoe," 23 Dec. 2020 Many bark beetles infest already dead or dying trees, but some, like the mountain pine beetle, attack living ones. — Hillary Rosner, National Geographic, "A tiny pest helped stoke this year’s devastating wildfires," 1 Oct. 2020 Fresh fruit was also a no-no, lest northern bugs infest southern plants or vice versa. — Elisabeth Eaves, Wired, "The Pandemic Closed Borders—and Stirred a Longing for Home," 1 Oct. 2020 Fortunately, rats, which otherwise infest Paris, did not move into the crypt. — Elaine Sciolino, Smithsonian Magazine, "The Notre-Dame Crypt Reopens for the First Time Since the Fire," 9 Sep. 2020 The nematodes will survive in the root nodules for long periods and will readily infest new garden areas through spreading of the compost. — ExpressNews.com, "Calvin Finch: It’s time for San Antonio tomato gardeners to start over with fall plants," 18 June 2020 It is most commonly carried by the black-legged or deer tick and can infest humans and pets. — Kaleb A. Brown, Detroit Free Press, "Mobile app takes aim at the bane of Michigan summers — ticks and Lyme disease," 17 June 2020 This is a quick way to improvise a hammock to get off the ground in wet or bug-infested environments. — Popular Science, "Fifteen survival shelters that can save your life," 28 May 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'infest.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.