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
Many of their patients suffer from migraines, nausea, wheezing, eye infections and brain fog.
—
ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Ask about complication and infection rates, and how often patients require readmission or revision surgery.
—Mathias P. Bostrom, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
One of the birds suffered tissue damage and infection caused by a fishing lure embedded in its foot, the center said.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Last August, a person in Maryland was confirmed to have a screwworm infection after traveling to El Salvador.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infection
ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Ask about complication and infection rates, and how often patients require readmission or revision surgery.
—Mathias P. Bostrom, Fortune, 16 Apr. 2026
One of the birds suffered tissue damage and infection caused by a fishing lure embedded in its foot, the center said.
—Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Last August, a person in Maryland was confirmed to have a screwworm infection after traveling to El Salvador.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infection
Noun
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Lettuce farmers experienced a similar problem in February during California and Arizona’s peak growing season, when warmer weather and a plant-eating virus destroyed crops, according to the AFBF.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
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Consider that before universal newborn protection against hepatitis B began in 1991, about 18,000 children contracted the virus yearly, nearly all developing lifelong infection that led to premature death in a quarter of them from cirrhosis or liver cancer.—
Professor David R. Hill,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Public health officials focus on vaccination rates among kindergartners because elementary schools can be hot spots for germs and the source of community spread.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Apr. 2026
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With the tip of the knife, remove and discard the germs (the center sprouts of the garlic cloves that can be very bitter).—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infection. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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