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
But isolation and lower diversity also means infections are spread more easily within the tick’s host populations.
—
Sean Lawrence, The Conversation, 18 June 2025
While professional opinion on the effect of it is divided, some think the treatment protects nails from injury or infection.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Symptoms of salmonella infection – including diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps – typically arise six hours to six days after exposure and may last 4 to 7 days.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 8 June 2025
The drug abuse occurred prior to Ramirez’s imprisonment (more than two decades earlier) and was likely the cause of his hepatitis C infection, the Marin County assistant chief deputy coroner told USA Today.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for infection
Sean Lawrence, The Conversation, 18 June 2025
While professional opinion on the effect of it is divided, some think the treatment protects nails from injury or infection.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 June 2025
Symptoms of salmonella infection – including diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps – typically arise six hours to six days after exposure and may last 4 to 7 days.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 8 June 2025
The drug abuse occurred prior to Ramirez’s imprisonment (more than two decades earlier) and was likely the cause of his hepatitis C infection, the Marin County assistant chief deputy coroner told USA Today.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for infection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infection
Noun
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No human cases of the virus have been reported in Will this year, and this is the first batch of mosquitoes to have tested positive in the county, a health department news release said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
30 June 2025
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All of these environments can harbor bacteria and viruses that cling to the wheels, handles, and fabric.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 June 2025
Noun
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Linus Pauling: Fallout, radioactive fallout, causes damage to the pool of human germ plasm, in that will result–that does result–in the birth of an additional number of defective children.—
Carol Sutton Lewis,
Scientific American,
18 June 2025
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Walking barefoot or in socks to the restroom is unhygienic and often regretted due to potential exposure to germs.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
17 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infection. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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