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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of infection
Case numbers seesawed in the following years before reaching an all-time low in 2021, when Pakistan recorded only one infection
Although cases have fluctuated in the past, experts say last year's increase was particularly alarming.
—
Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
Beyond being amused, I was struck by the morbid salience of a children’s game that mimics infection at a time when vaccine skepticism is on the rise and an outbreak of a non-pretend disease, measles, is threatening the lives of children in the Southwest.
—Bruce Handy, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025
Before the anthrax infection, Virunga National Park had already seen a significant decline in its population.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
But inhaling enough can turn the act of breathing into an existential hazard, prompting or worsening asthma, COPD, respiratory infections, and permanent lung damage.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infection
Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
Beyond being amused, I was struck by the morbid salience of a children’s game that mimics infection at a time when vaccine skepticism is on the rise and an outbreak of a non-pretend disease, measles, is threatening the lives of children in the Southwest.
—Bruce Handy, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025
Before the anthrax infection, Virunga National Park had already seen a significant decline in its population.
—Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
But inhaling enough can turn the act of breathing into an existential hazard, prompting or worsening asthma, COPD, respiratory infections, and permanent lung damage.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infection
Noun
-
And because all organisms are driven by survival – from viruses to apex predators – this electrome system appears to be the way this forest-wide network of birch trees (Picea abies) inform their neighbors to prepare for an environmental disruption.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
29 Apr. 2025
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The virus can also cause swelling of the lungs and brain.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Hoppus' fear of germs intensified amid his fallout with Tom DeLonge and after Travis Barker's plane crash in 2008, which also killed his friend.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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Lab studies have also found peppermint to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which may help keep harmful germs at bay.13 7.—
Jamie Johnson,
Verywell Health,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infection. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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