infest

in·fest | \ in-ˈfest

How to pronounce infest (audio)

\

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

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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 on the Web Charlotte quickly and quietly became one of the nation’s most important financial hubs, as Amazon facilities began to infest the state’s rural communities and Dollar Trees replaced mom-and-pop groceries. — Nick Martin, The New Republic, "The Decade When Republicans Stole the States," 24 Dec. 2019 One was placed in a basement unit that had no heat and was infested with rats and spiders. — Maria Perez, jsonline.com, "American farms recruit Mexican veterinarians for jobs as animal scientists — but the real work is milking cows and cleaning pens for low pay," 4 Dec. 2019 Speakers covered topics such as bed bug biology, bed bugs in public spaces and who pays when a rental unit is infested. — Julie Washington, cleveland, "Bed bugs don’t transmit disease, but still cause stress: say local conference leaders," 4 Nov. 2019 In For Whom the Bell Tolls, Hemingway’s doomed and dashing hero gets asked by his Spanish Civil War comrades whether our United States could be likewise infested by fascists. — Colin Barrett, Harper's magazine, "“Just Keep Going North”," 5 July 2019 One, the opossum, is a tick-eliminating champ, grooming away 96 percent of tick larvae that infest it, a research study says. — National Geographic, "Holographic elephants shine new light on tradition—and other innovations," 5 Nov. 2019 The tenant can be held liable if the landlord can prove that the tenant brought in used furniture that might have been infested, Lewis said. — Julie Washington, cleveland, "Bed bugs don’t transmit disease, but still cause stress: say local conference leaders," 4 Nov. 2019 As much as 4% to 6% of beans by count are also allowed to be insect-infested or moldy. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN, "Bugs, rodent hair and poop: How much is legally allowed in the food you eat every day?," 4 Oct. 2019 The current political and media climate has fostered a level of personal discord that has infested many relationships -- destroying some. — Ask Amy, al, "Ask Amy: Trump fan feels like an outsider looking in at job," 15 May 2019

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.

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Dictionary Entries near infest

inferobranchiate

Statistics for infest

Last Updated

27 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Infest.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infest. Accessed 20 January 2020.

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More Definitions for infest

infest

verb

English Language Learners Definition of infest

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

See the full definition for infest in the English Language Learners Dictionary

infest

in·fest | \ in-ˈfest

\

infested; infesting

Kids Definition of infest

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

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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