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 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
Study limitations The study examined just one bacterial strain from one cave sample, and there is no evidence that the ancient microbe is currently infecting people or spreading, the researchers noted.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
The custom, which can risk infecting infants with dangerous diseases, is practiced only in haredi Orthodox communities such as the substantial one in Antwerp.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2026
Less than a mile from Campbell’s home, inside City Hall, dysfunction was infecting the police department.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
In other words, don't show up unannounced at a medical office or emergency room and risk infecting others.
—Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
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
Study limitations The study examined just one bacterial strain from one cave sample, and there is no evidence that the ancient microbe is currently infecting people or spreading, the researchers noted.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 23 Feb. 2026
The custom, which can risk infecting infants with dangerous diseases, is practiced only in haredi Orthodox communities such as the substantial one in Antwerp.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2026
Less than a mile from Campbell’s home, inside City Hall, dysfunction was infecting the police department.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
In other words, don't show up unannounced at a medical office or emergency room and risk infecting others.
—Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infecting
Verb
-
Chronic mold poisoning our children.—
Sumathy Kumar,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Through the years, there have been more oil spills, but also toxic algae blooms poisoning sea creatures with domoic acid and disease outbreaks, unusual stranding events that would fill the center to maximum capacity.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In his Phaedrus, Plato attacked reading as corrupting true philosophical dialectic.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Richard Pazdur, a longtime cancer drug regulator, retired from the CDER director post in December due to concerns that political officials were corrupting the agency’s scientific process.—
Lizzy Lawrence,
STAT,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Toxic materials, including mercury used to extract gold from ore, pour into rivers, contaminating the water and harming the workers, wildlife and surrounding communities that rely on local fish and wildfire.—
Antonio Machado Allison,
The Conversation,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Don't risk contaminating the soil, starting a fire, or worse to remove a stump.—
Daniel Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Stephan Zagadou received a straight red card after fouling Endrick.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The Bulldogs were expected to start fouling the Quakers intentionally, as to not allow them the opportunity to break the five-point lead Yale owned.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Unplugging these large appliances risks spoiling everything inside.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
11 Mar. 2026
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But Ryan put the game away with a 7-0 spurt, spoiling Glenn's first trip to the state finals.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Voting for the Oscars ended March 5, possibly giving members of the academy just enough time to reconsider the slate of nominees.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The Deciphering program revisits five of the seven films screened during that inaugural year, giving audiences a rare chance to experience some of the festival’s earliest highlights.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infecting. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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