as in poisoned
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 infected
However, those infected with Meningococcal will see symptoms worsen rapidly.
—
Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
After his wound becomes infected, Sophie cleans it and prepares a compress.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
An entire school could be infected by then.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2026
The number of people infected in South Carolina has risen to 789, the state public health department confirmed yesterday.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infected
Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 29 Jan. 2026
After his wound becomes infected, Sophie cleans it and prepares a compress.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
An entire school could be infected by then.
—Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2026
The number of people infected in South Carolina has risen to 789, the state public health department confirmed yesterday.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infected
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infected
Verb
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Prosecutors allege Richins poisoned her husband with a cocktail laced with illicit fentanyl while the couple was celebrating at their home in March 2022.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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In early 2025, Milwaukee discovered that lead paint had poisoned at least four students in its public schools.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Eating fruits or fruit products — such as raw date palm juice — contaminated with urine or saliva from infected fruit bats also contributes to spread.—
Michal Ruprecht,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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This exposure creates a high risk that products held at the facility may have been contaminated with harmful microorganisms.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But Ball was bailed out and fouled on a 3-pointer as the shot clock expired and Karaban came through with a big-time shot from the wing to take a two-point lead.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
24 Jan. 2026
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Research has clearly shown how the proliferation of plastics has fouled waterways and oceans, making sea creatures sick and threatening human health.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Tracy Anderson believes most people today have had their attention spans hijacked by social media and their perception of beauty corrupted by trends.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
24 Jan. 2026
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His mind is warped, his sense of morality corrupted.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infected. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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