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
In some experiments, scientists have reactivated viruses that remained capable of infecting host cells after thawing, though none have been linked to human illness.
—
Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Neem oil coats the leaves and prevents disease spores from infecting them.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
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
Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Neem oil coats the leaves and prevents disease spores from infecting them.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infecting
Verb
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The young woman who sojourned to Oberlin College, where she was wrongfully accused of poisoning her classmates and beaten half to death, who raised her hands in defense of herself, then went on to grip clay and rock and chisel to re-create visions of justice.—
Tyehimba Jess,
ARTnews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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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
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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Kennedy added the feds will now focus on microplastics contaminating water.—
Stephanie Stahl,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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Just last month, a massive oil spill in the Gulf spread more than 373 miles and into seven nature reserves, contaminating at least six species and sending 800 tons of hydrocarbon-laden waste into the ocean.—
Alexa St. John,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There were others like it against Ohtani as well, showing the Mets are still fouling off tough pitches and trying to keep at-bats alive, and some standout defensive plays made as well.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
16 Apr. 2026
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The main area holding Hines back was a propensity for fouling in his freshman season.—
Joe Arruda,
Hartford Courant,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Wilderness guides at Magashi Peninsula are well trained, the accommodation and food spoiling, and the wildlife sightings glorious.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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There is no dumber tradition that's come with this insufferable age of social media than spoiling draft picks.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Why then hesitate at giving people information about themselves that will actually change their life for the better?—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Zamora supports giving middle and high school communities the option to have an officer on campus at least part-time.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infecting. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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