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
During this time, more frogs are infected with the pathogen.
—
Ana V. Longo,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
Hall was infected in 2000 and diagnosed in 2006, per Bay Area Lyme Foundation.
—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Not every tick is infected, and not every tick bite results in disease.
—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
22 June 2026
Common fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases that infect tomato plants include late blight, leaf mold, bacterial spot, and anthracnose.
—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for infect
Ana V. Longo,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
Hall was infected in 2000 and diagnosed in 2006, per Bay Area Lyme Foundation.
—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
23 June 2026
Not every tick is infected, and not every tick bite results in disease.
—
Kate Wong,
Scientific American,
22 June 2026
Common fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases that infect tomato plants include late blight, leaf mold, bacterial spot, and anthracnose.
—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for infect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infect
Verb
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Kara Zor-El (Alcock) goes on a planet-hopping mission to save her beloved Krypto – with young and vengeful girl Ruthye (Eve Ridley) in tow – after he’s poisoned by the villainous Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts).
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As a final comedic beat, Krypto immediately gets into some chocolate — a playful contrast to his earlier near-death experience after being poisoned by Krem.
Verb
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According to a report by Closed Loop Partners, which partners with companies such as Pepsico and McDonald’s, nearly 4% of food waste is contaminated with other materials — most of it plastic.
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Raw or undercooked meat, fish, shellfish and eggs, along with unpasteurized milk, dairy and juices, are especially likely to be contaminated.
Verb
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Outside the Lineage warehouse Thursday morning, the smell of heavy smoke was already being replaced with that of spoiling food and filthy water.
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Against Australia in the last 16, Argentina were again labouring when faced with an inferior opponent, digging in and determined to spoil their World Cup dreams.
Verb
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The center fielder fouled off a pair of 1-2 pitches before sending a high cutter 403 feet to the right-field corner for his first homer since May 20.
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Ohtani walked and Andy Pages was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Freeman fouled off three straight pitches before walking on the ninth pitch to bring in Freeland.
Cite this Entry
“Infect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infect. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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