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
The rare disorder means a person's white blood cells are unable to enter infection sites and kill bacteria, leaving patients vulnerable.
—
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Lower-income countries often have higher rates of resistance for reasons such as lack of clean water and sanitation and less effective infection control in healthcare systems.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
No additional cases of yersiniosis were reported by the detention center in the four weeks following the original infection, the report said.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Within the first six months of their availability, COVID vaccines prevented some eight million COVID infections, one study has shown.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infection
Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
Lower-income countries often have higher rates of resistance for reasons such as lack of clean water and sanitation and less effective infection control in healthcare systems.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 27 Mar. 2026
No additional cases of yersiniosis were reported by the detention center in the four weeks following the original infection, the report said.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026
Within the first six months of their availability, COVID vaccines prevented some eight million COVID infections, one study has shown.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infection
Noun
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Currently, scientists must predict which strains of flu virus will be prevalent in the coming season months in advance.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
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There, the cells were cultured and injected with a virus that carries the gene that LAD-1 patients are missing, Kohn said.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The crew has been in medical quarantine since March 18 to protect their voyage from hitchhiking germs.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
27 Mar. 2026
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Why tire himself out, become completely exhausted and out of breath, crumple up the bedsheets that were changed just a few days ago, get someone else’s germs all over himself, and then reek of sweat afterward?—
Agnieszka Szpila,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infection. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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