infested; infesting; infests
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
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
Many units are poorly ventilated, windowless, and often infested with cockroaches, rats and bed bugs.
—
Jared Formanek, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Exclude ants by baiting them at the base of your specimen infested with the fungus or apply Vaseline to the trunk of the tree or branches of the shrub in a two-inch wide band.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
Pothos grown as houseplants can be infested with spider mites or whiteflies, which can cause yellowing or pale leaves.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2025
How to prevent oak leaf itch mite bites To prevent possible bites, wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, gloves and hats, and bathe after spending time outside, especially in areas likely to be infested.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infest
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Jared Formanek, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Exclude ants by baiting them at the base of your specimen infested with the fungus or apply Vaseline to the trunk of the tree or branches of the shrub in a two-inch wide band.
—Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
Pothos grown as houseplants can be infested with spider mites or whiteflies, which can cause yellowing or pale leaves.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2025
How to prevent oak leaf itch mite bites To prevent possible bites, wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, gloves and hats, and bathe after spending time outside, especially in areas likely to be infested.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infest
Cite this Entry
“Infest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infest. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infest
verb
in·fest
in-ˈfest 
1
: to spread or swarm in or over in a troublesome manner
a neighborhood infested with crime
shark-infested waters
2
: to live in or on as a parasite
horses infested with worms
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