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
Approximately 50% of people infected with Ebola die of the extensive hemorrhaging the disease causes, although that figure varies widely depending on the strain and the available medical care.
—
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Speaking of rambunctious audiences, the crazy laudatory-clapping disease has infected the Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
These facilities agreed to and completed full cleaning and disinfection procedures to prevent the bacteria from growing and infecting others.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Cut to 28 days later, when Spike was rescued from a horde of infected by Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell), another original survivor who turned out to be the leader of a barbaric cult.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infect
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Speaking of rambunctious audiences, the crazy laudatory-clapping disease has infected the Jimmy Kimmel Live!
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
These facilities agreed to and completed full cleaning and disinfection procedures to prevent the bacteria from growing and infecting others.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
Cut to 28 days later, when Spike was rescued from a horde of infected by Sir Jimmy Crystal (Jack O'Connell), another original survivor who turned out to be the leader of a barbaric cult.
—Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infect
Verb
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In pre-trial evidence released last month, Erin's ex-husband Simon also accused Erin of attempting to fatally poison him on multiple occasions, per the BBC.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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The patients allegedly poisoned were between the ages of 4 and 89, according to Le Monde.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Products contaminated with methanol (also called wood alcohol) are very dangerous when applied to the skin or consumed.—
Megan Nunn,
Verywell Health,
8 Sep. 2025
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Middlefield Original Cheese Co-op is recalling specific cheese products due to concerns that they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Holding on for a win on Saturday finally allowed the Padres to gain a game in the NL West on the on Dodgers, who lost a fifth straight when the Orioles spoiled a no-hitter with two outs and ultimately walked off a win.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
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Besides, if one bad apple can spoil the whole barrel, then just imagine the good that Maria could do by removing it from the rest of the bunch.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sporting was awarded the spot kick after a video review revealed Shapi Suleymanov had been fouled while dribbling in on goal.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
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In the first inning as the Blue Jays wore down the Yankees by putting balls in play and fouling off pitches, Judge was tested for the first time on a single by Nathan Lukes.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Infect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infect. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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