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
Two lion siblings have set a new record for long-distance swimming, paddling across a treacherous stretch of river infested with crocodiles and hippos, on an epic adventure to find female mates.
—
New Atlas, 10 July 2024
Three years ago, my sister’s husband died suddenly, leaving her in a house that is infested with vermin and could be condemned.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 6 July 2024
The spotted lanternfly has now infested some 17 states, according to a map by the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, with the center of its population across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 1 July 2024
Stressed plants can be infested by soft green aphids, thin and dark flower thrips, or tiny spider mites.
—Rebecca Bull Reed, Southern Living, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for infest 
New Atlas, 10 July 2024
Three years ago, my sister’s husband died suddenly, leaving her in a house that is infested with vermin and could be condemned.
—Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 6 July 2024
The spotted lanternfly has now infested some 17 states, according to a map by the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program, with the center of its population across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland.
—Solcyré Burga, TIME, 1 July 2024
Stressed plants can be infested by soft green aphids, thin and dark flower thrips, or tiny spider mites.
—Rebecca Bull Reed, Southern Living, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for infest
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infest.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near infest
Cite this Entry
“Infest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infest. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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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