as in poisoning
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 infecting
The duo’s follow-up project Los Frikis, a drama based on true events about group of punk rockers in ’90s Cuba who cultivate a utopian refuge from society after deliberately infecting themselves with HIV, was similarly lauded.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
To pursue that work, Sassetti’s NIH grant paid for collecting blood samples from people in Lima, Peru — who carry a unique immune gene — and then infecting their cells with TB in the lab.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
Aisuru and Kimwolf work by first infecting vulnerable online devices, enslaving them into a network of hijacked computers.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Measles is incredibly transmissible and can easily travel home with us, infecting others in our schools and communities.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
The suppurating contempt Sheridan feels for the Big Apple oozes its way through much of the series, its condescending pus infecting stunning vistas, swelling musical compositions and at least one award-worthy performance, courtesy of Michelle Pfeiffer.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
People who develop symptoms after an exposure should call before seeking medical care, to reduce the odds of infecting others.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
As the train departs, a sick woman begins transitioning into a zombie — and infecting everyone around her.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
After infecting a host’s skin, the fungus disrupts the body’s electrolytes through a disease called chytridiomycosis.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
To pursue that work, Sassetti’s NIH grant paid for collecting blood samples from people in Lima, Peru — who carry a unique immune gene — and then infecting their cells with TB in the lab.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
Aisuru and Kimwolf work by first infecting vulnerable online devices, enslaving them into a network of hijacked computers.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Measles is incredibly transmissible and can easily travel home with us, infecting others in our schools and communities.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
The suppurating contempt Sheridan feels for the Big Apple oozes its way through much of the series, its condescending pus infecting stunning vistas, swelling musical compositions and at least one award-worthy performance, courtesy of Michelle Pfeiffer.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
People who develop symptoms after an exposure should call before seeking medical care, to reduce the odds of infecting others.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
As the train departs, a sick woman begins transitioning into a zombie — and infecting everyone around her.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
After infecting a host’s skin, the fungus disrupts the body’s electrolytes through a disease called chytridiomycosis.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infecting
Verb
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Protesters, however, say that HERC, which neighbors Target Field near the North Loop neighborhood, is responsible for essentially poisoning people who live nearby.—
Conor Wight,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
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In the Middle Ages, local churchgoers whispered of clannish Jews poisoning wells to kill Christian children and steal their blood for their rituals.—
Mike Rothschild,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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An early discussion about social contracts comes down to us in Plato’s dialogue Crito in which Socrates, condemned to death for allegedly corrupting the youth, refused an offer to escape from prison.—
George G. Szpiro,
Big Think,
9 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, the Pima County Sheriff Office investigating Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is facing troubles of its own, as a former sheriff has accused current leadership of ‘corrupting’ the crime scene, and a deputy has been arrested and fired on a kidnapping charge.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This can be a contaminating breeding ground if there were to be leaks that damage packaging, or an invitation for pests to munch on your items before you.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
12 Apr. 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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The Braves showed their offensive personality by fouling off or blooping some of Detmers’ best work and then taking advantage of the mistakes.—
Doug Padilla,
Oc Register,
8 Apr. 2026
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In comparison, the Longhorns couldn’t seem to defend without fouling in the regular season while allowing 11 of the 22 Power Five teams faced in the regular season to shoot at least 49% from the field.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After Thursday’s game, Weaver faced questions from reporters as an obvious culprit in spoiling McLean’s masterpiece.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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More specifically — and without spoiling a story that piles the twists as high as the corpses — Pine's an ex-British soldier pulled from his porter duties and recruited to surveil a ruthless arms dealer, Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie) staying at the hotel.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 2022, researchers concluded that Neanderthals and humans lived alongside each other in France and Spain for up to 2,900 years, giving them plenty of time to potentially learn from or even breed with each other.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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As was the case with the white-and-green dress for her Pakistan tour, Elizabeth, in her fashion choices, sought not only to avoid giving offense but to offer symbolic ingratiation, and among the most fascinating garments on display are those representing diplomatic dressing.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infecting. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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