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
Those infected in South Carolina who haven’t yet developed encephalitis may yet do so.
—
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
How do you get infected with it?
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 4 Feb. 2026
Public health officials in Northern California are investigating a tuberculosis outbreak, identifying more than 50 cases at a private Catholic high school and ordering those who are infected to stay home.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Measles outbreaks nationwide The South Carolina Department of Public Health reported Tuesday that another 29 people have been infected in the last few days, with 354 still in quarantine.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infected
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
How do you get infected with it?
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 4 Feb. 2026
Public health officials in Northern California are investigating a tuberculosis outbreak, identifying more than 50 cases at a private Catholic high school and ordering those who are infected to stay home.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Measles outbreaks nationwide The South Carolina Department of Public Health reported Tuesday that another 29 people have been infected in the last few days, with 354 still in quarantine.
—Erika Edwards, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infected
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infected
Verb
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This friend group is so poisoned.—
Antonia Blyth,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In 2016, dozens of residents from a subdivision about 20 miles from the Boarmans’ home sued oil giant ConocoPhillips, alleging that years of improper oil field waste disposal had poisoned their drinking water.—
Nick Bowlin,
The Frontier,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The frozen salmon may be contaminated with Listeria, the report says, as presence of the bacteria was found in a random sample collected by the FDA.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
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Since last spring, lawyers and advocates have complained of inadequate medical care, contaminated food and minimal schooling for children held there.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Schnall fouled Ishbia in the first quarter, and Ishbia hit the free throws in a throwback to his Michigan State playing days.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The incident took place midway through the third quarter after Duren was fouled by Diabaté while driving toward the basket.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But, if the release of the Epstein files has accomplished anything, it’s been to demonstrate how, on both sides of the Atlantic, systems corrupted by money are ripe for reform.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
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American culture will not be mocked or corrupted without consequence.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infected. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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