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
More than 100 infections were being reported every week, with the total eventually surpassing that of last year’s record-setting outbreak in Texas.
—
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 May 2026
These nutrients may help improve cold symptoms and lower the risk of infection.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 1 May 2026
The kids at Crocker Riverside Elementary School will not have to risk burns or staph infections when playing on the lawn, thanks to parent pushback against the installation of artificial turf.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
This is more likely to happen within the first year that a person is infected with syphilis, although the syphilis bacteria can spread to a fetus at any stage of infection, causing the unborn baby to develop what’s known as congenital syphilis.
—Casey Pinto, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for infection
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 May 2026
These nutrients may help improve cold symptoms and lower the risk of infection.
—Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 1 May 2026
The kids at Crocker Riverside Elementary School will not have to risk burns or staph infections when playing on the lawn, thanks to parent pushback against the installation of artificial turf.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
This is more likely to happen within the first year that a person is infected with syphilis, although the syphilis bacteria can spread to a fetus at any stage of infection, causing the unborn baby to develop what’s known as congenital syphilis.
—Casey Pinto, The Conversation, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for infection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infection
Noun
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Measles symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus and often include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
On the one hand, the virus ensures that nothing will ever be the same again.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Inside, microorganisms break down the body into soil in a natural process that generates heat to reach temperatures of 131 F (55 C) or higher — enough to kill germs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
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These germs can easily spread to anything in the areas where the poultry live and roam.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infection. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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