infest

verb in·fest \ in-ˈfest \

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

—

infestant

play \in-ˈfe-stənt\ noun

—

infestation

play \ˌin-ˌfe-ˈstā-shən\ noun

—

infester

play \in-ˈfe-stər\ noun

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Examples of infest in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of infest from the Web

Ragan, 59, who now lives in Dallas, Texas, said beetles infested the tree about four years ago, and the insects quickly started going to town on the tree.

— anthony clark carpio, Burbank Leader, "Beetle infestation means end to 90-year-old tree in Burbank," 29 Aug. 2017
In the South, forest managers swiftly cut down trees that have been infested, selling the timber to salvage loggers and paper mills — a strategy that pays for itself.

— hiroko tabuchi, New York Times, "Tree-Eating Beetles March Northward, Lured by Milder Winters," 28 Aug. 2017
Rainwater that settles in the tiny nooks and crannies can easily become infested with thousands of larvae. 2.

— jamie wiebe, House Beautiful, "The Sneaky Places Mosquitoes Hide in Your Yard," 6 Aug. 2017
Teams were deployed after a commercial fisherman’s capture June 22 of a silver carp, one of the species native to Asia that have infested the Illinois River and advanced on Lake Michigan.

— john flesher, The Seattle Times, "Search turns up no additional Asian carp in Chicago waterway," 10 July 2017
If residents believe South American Palm Weevils have infested palms in their community, they’re urged to call the San Diego County insect hotline at (800) 200-2337 or send an email to sdcawm@sdcounty.ca.gov.

— joshua emerson smith, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Invasive weevil spreads north, could cause widespread tree deaths," 1 July 2017
This will prevent carpenter ants from infesting the wood and causing structural damage.

— dick crum, Indianapolis Star, "Dr. Dirt: Pansies fade away with summer weather," 30 June 2017
The bed might be infested with bedbugs, but the TV remote will be germ-free.

— rick barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "AT&T pitches DirectTV service for hotels, travelers," 27 June 2017
It is intended to prevent fish from swimming between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River system, which is infested with Asian carp.

— john flesher, Detroit Free Press, "Live Asian carp discovered near Lake Michigan," 23 June 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of infest

French infester, from Latin infestare, from infestus hostile

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First Known Use: 1602

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infest Synonyms

Synonyms

overrun

Related Words

beset, overspread, overwhelm; abound, crawl, teem; annoy, pester, plague; contaminate, infect

INFEST Defined for English Language Learners

infest

verb

Definition of infest for English Language Learners

of something harmful or unwanted : to be in or over (a place, an animal, etc.) in large numbers

INFEST Defined for Kids

infest

verb in·fest \ in-ˈfest \

Definition of infest for Students

infested; infesting

:to spread or swarm in or over in a harmful manner Termites infested the tree.

Medical Dictionary

infest

transitive verb in·fest \ in-ˈfest \

medical Definition of infest

:to live in or on as a parasite

the flea that infests cats

horses infested with worms

— compare infect

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infest

Definition of infest

infestant

infestation

infester

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infest Synonyms

Synonyms

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INFEST Defined for English Language Learners

infest

Definition of infest for English Language Learners

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infest

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infest

medical Definition of infest

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