as in virus
an abnormal state caused by contact with harmful organisms (such as bacteria or viruses)
There is a viral infection spreading among the schoolchildren.
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Recent Examples of infection
All of these vaccine-preventable illnesses can lead to severe infections or death and have limited to no treatment options.
—
Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2026
This year’s brutal flu season is a reminder of just how devastating even routine infections can be.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Vaccinating children also helped protect pregnant women by curbing the spread of infection.
—Jake Scott, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
That single step launches the infection.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infection
Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2026
This year’s brutal flu season is a reminder of just how devastating even routine infections can be.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Vaccinating children also helped protect pregnant women by curbing the spread of infection.
—Jake Scott, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
That single step launches the infection.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infection
Noun
-
So, measles showing up in wastewater is a sign that infected people are shedding tiny bits of the virus through things like mucus, saliva and stool.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Jan. 2026
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In April, the Pan American Health Organization’s committee on this topic will meet to determine whether the virus has been circulating in the same chain of transmission for 12 months, which is a key metric for designating the disease’s status.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some types of snow Brunning identified were column, plane, rimed, germs, irregularities, as well as combinations of all of those elements.—
Mariyam Muhammad,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Jan. 2026
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Hot water should be used to kill germs, bacteria, and pests, and thankfully, those aren’t everyday situations.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infection. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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