as in to poison
to pass something harmful (such as a disease) to someone or something else
If you come to work when you're sick, you'll infect everyone in the office.
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Recent Examples of infect
Lipton and investors also worry about how much the problems with private credit lenders can infect the mainstream banking system.
—
Maria Aspan, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
People can be infected by someone whose symptoms have not yet appeared.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
The same arrogance has infected the political sphere.
—Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
The former is caused by bacteria that infects the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to inflammation.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infect
Maria Aspan, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026
People can be infected by someone whose symptoms have not yet appeared.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
The same arrogance has infected the political sphere.
—Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 19 Mar. 2026
The former is caused by bacteria that infects the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to inflammation.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infect
Verb
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The second is a 100-day sludge line that will poison the reserves oil-hungry nations are racing to drain.—
Siddharth Misra,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
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But would someone go so far as to poison a tree to keep the view open?—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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What the state says Texas’ highest criminal appeals court has ruled that DNA testing does not apply to evidence that may be contaminated.—
Faith Bugenhagen,
Austin American Statesman,
24 Mar. 2026
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Although banned in Venezuela, mercury remains prevalent in mining areas, contaminating rivers and exposing workers and nearby communities to toxic effects.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Trump claimed the 11 turbines would spoil the view from his golf course.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Mar. 2026
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We have been spoiled the last two seasons.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With Duke playing keep-away to prevent the Huskies from fouling, Cayden Boozer’s pass near midcourt was deflected, and after UConn came up with the ball, Demary made a shot from well behind the 3-point line.—
Noah Trister,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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After Tatis fouled off the next pitch, Flaherty did what a lot of pitchers will do to Tatis and tempted him with a slider that broke low and outside the zone.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infect. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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