infest

verb in·fest \ in-ˈfest \

|Updated on: 12 Jul 2018

Examples: infest in a Sentence

Definition of infest

infested; infesting; infests

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

See infest defined for English-language learners

See infest defined for kids

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

McDonald described a crop that was infected with powdery mildew from the beginning and later was infested with spider mites and other pests.

— michael dresser, baltimoresun.com, "Regulators investigating Maryland medical marijuana grower for alleged pesticide use," 9 July 2018
Smugglers avoid the main road, which is so infested with bandits that traders move in convoys, escorted by the army.

— The Economist, "On the edge of the Sahara, people mourn the decline of people-smuggling," 5 July 2018
If the plants are not infested with spider mites, they can be recycled into the compost pile.

— calvin finch, San Antonio Express-News, "It’s early, but you may want to pull your tomatoes now," 22 June 2018
And as the entomologists tell them, only two kinds of arthropods actually infest humans: lice and a mite that causes scabies.

— National Geographic, "Think Your Body Is Infested With Insects? You're Not Alone.," 22 June 2018
After years ofd scattered claims, scientists have confirmed that the nation is indeed infested with hammerhead flatworms and has been for nearly two decades.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Discover Giant Worms Invaded France Almost 20 Years Ago," 23 May 2018
The beetle will infest various common trees including all species of maple, buckeye, willow, and elm.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Government celebrates clearing 5 miles of beetle infestation... out of 60 quarantined miles," 19 Mar. 2018
To accuse people of infesting America is to dehumanize them.

— sarah jones, The New Republic, "Why Tyrants Dehumanize the Powerless," 20 June 2018
Celedon tells me people pay more than 30% of their incomes for housing that is dilapidated, bug-infested and often without air conditioning even as Valley temperatures swelter above 100 degrees.

— moni basu, CNN, "Blue state, red valley: In this part of California, a new generation is more woke than ever," 1 June 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1602

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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

Learn More about infest

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for infest Spanish Central: Translation of infest Nglish: Translation of infest for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of infest for Arabic speakers

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infest

Definition of infest

infestant

infestation

infester

Examples of infest in a Sentence

Recent Examples of infest from the Web

Origin and Etymology of infest

infest Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

INFEST Defined for English Language Learners

infest

Definition of infest for English Language Learners

INFEST Defined for Kids

infest

Definition of infest for Students

Medical Dictionary

infest

medical Definition of infest

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