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: NY

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 of infuse

• suffuse
• imbue
• invest

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

First-year coach Tosh Lupoi has overhauled the staff, the roster has been infused by more than 30 transfers and the expectations are rising for a program that has won more than seven games just once in the past 10 seasons. — CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

But Yoon infuses this neutral-tone narration with lively and intelligent dialogues among Etna and other animals (Etna can speak to every species, though Soojin is the only human). — Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2026

The gin is produced using the traditional discontinuous, indirect steam distillation method on a base of Italian grain alcohol, allowing each botanical to be infused gradually and with precision. — Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Vintage fabric is a sure way to infuse story and unique character into your space. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for infuse

• accrues
• accuse
• aircrews
• amuse
• bamboos
• breakthroughs
• canoes
• cashews
• chartreuse
• confuse
• construes
• defuse

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