infuse

verb

in·​fuse in-ˈfyüz 

infused; infusing

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to be permeated with something (such as a principle or quality) that alters usually for the better

infuse the team with confidence

b

: introduce, insinuate

a new spirit was infused into American art

—Amer. Guide Series: N. Y.

2

: inspire, animate

the sense of purpose that infuses scientific research

3

: to steep in liquid (such as water) without boiling so as to extract the soluble constituents or principles

4

: to administer or inject by infusion

stem cells were infused into the patient

infuser noun

Synonyms

• endue
• indue
• imbue
• inculcate
• ingrain
• engrain
• inoculate
• invest
• steep
• suffuse

Choose the Right Synonym for infuse

infuse, suffuse, imbue, ingrain, inoculate, leaven mean to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout.

infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

Examples of infuse in a Sentence

She has infused her followers with confidence.

He has found ways to infuse new energy into his performances.

She has infused confidence into her followers.

His work is infused with anger.

The tea should be allowed to infuse for several minutes.

You should infuse the tea for several minutes.

Recent Examples on the Web

Our emotional vocabulary around these kinds of relationships has also shifted, as therapy-speak infuses our everyday language. —Lorena O’Neil, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024

House martinis, like the Amalfi Coast (peach infused Wheatley vodka, limoncello, basil, prosecco), are $16. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2024

It’s infused with cherry and hibiscus, and collagen, giving my lips an irresistible dewy and sheer finish. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 8 Apr. 2024

The fragrance, which is infused with essential oils, is crafted with notes of crisp air, fresh laundry, and sweetened floral undertones. —Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024

The lenses of solar eclipse glasses are made of black polymer, or resin infused with carbon particles, which blocks nearly all visible, infrared and ultraviolet light, according to The Planetary Society. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024

After settling on a non-alcoholic spirit infused with lemon and cucumber, and a few other mainstays, Hook — the accounting executive — pulls out a card to pay for her goods. —Leah Asmelash, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024

The Path of Totality is a golden ale infused with Totality Dark Roast coffee from Sun Bean Roastery, merging light and dark flavors in reference to the sun and moon. —The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024

Bored with regular tortilla chips, the company rolled out a line of chips infused with the flavor of its hot sauces to grocery stores in 2018. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English infusen (usually in past participle enfusid, infused) "to pour in, introduce, soak," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French enfuser (in past participle enfusé) "to steep," borrowed from Latin infūsus, past participle of infundere "to pour in, instill, cause to fall or stream," from in- in- entry 2 + fundere "to pour, shed, cast, send forth, disperse" — more at found entry 5

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

infuse

verb

in·​fuse in-ˈfyüz 

infused; infusing

1

: to put in as if by pouring

infused courage into her followers

2

: to steep without boiling

infuse tea

Medical Definition

infuse

verb

in·​fuse in-ˈfyüz 

infused; infusing

transitive verb

1

: to steep in liquid (as water) without boiling so as to extract the soluble constituents or principles

2

: to administer or inject by infusion especially intravenously

infuse the blood with glucose

infuse a solution of lactate

intransitive verb

: to administer a solution by infusion