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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of infection
Hydration is important for urinary tract infection prevention in both men and women.
—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Kaprizov has missed a few recent practices with an eye infection.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
The Queen of Pop was in the intensive care unit for a serious bacterial infection in June 2023, weeks before she was supposed to embark on her Celebration tour.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
Salmonella infection poses a significant threat to public health.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infection
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Kaprizov has missed a few recent practices with an eye infection.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
The Queen of Pop was in the intensive care unit for a serious bacterial infection in June 2023, weeks before she was supposed to embark on her Celebration tour.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025
Salmonella infection poses a significant threat to public health.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infection
Noun
-
But some healthy people still want to get vaccinated to reduce their risk of getting sick at all, missing work or school, developing long COVID or spreading the virus to vulnerable people, such as older family members and friends with other health issues.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The signoff is also coming later than usual for the fall respiratory virus season.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Did the germ of the idea begin with you?—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Pet dander can trigger allergies, and animals can carry harmful germs.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infection. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share