infest

verb

in·​fest in-ˈfest How to pronounce infest (audio)
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 noun
infestation noun
infester noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Inmates have also complained of spoiled and infested food and jail staff have been accused of ignoring detainees’ serious and in some cases life-threatening medical issues. Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025 Unfortunately, the region was infested with pirates and evil spirits. H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 5 July 2025 People responded generously after reading eight Wish List stories, which included a Covington mother of three in need of reliable transportation and Cincinnati man forced to toss all his belongings after his apartment became infested with bedbugs. Jeff Suess, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Aphids present in the garden can infest plants but are easily managed with horticultural sprays or a heavy stream of water. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for infest

Word History

Etymology

French infester, from Latin infestare, from infestus hostile

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of infest was in 1602

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infest. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

infest

verb
in·​fest in-ˈfest How to pronounce infest (audio)
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
infestation noun

Medical Definition

infest

transitive verb
in·​fest in-ˈfest How to pronounce infest (audio)
: to live in or on as a parasite
the flea that infests cats
horses infested with worms
compare infect

More from Merriam-Webster on infest

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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