Synonyms of infection

infection

noun

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

• virus
• germ
• disease
• epidemic
• attack
• contagion
• contagious disease
• plague
• contagium
• illness
• bout
• lameness
• fever
• invalidism
• invalidity
• debility
• indisposition
• unsoundness
• pestilence
• spell
• pandemic
• debilitation
• decrepitude
• feebleness
• fit
• sickliness
• malaise
• ailment
• sickishness
• unhealthiness
• dysfunction
• malady
• unwellness
• ill
• bug
• sickness
• disorder
• weakness
• distemper
• pip
• frailty
• pest
• complication
• weakliness
• ail
• upset
• infirmity
• matter
• frailness
• condition
• complaint
• distemperature
• trouble
• affection
• affliction

Dissimilar Words

• fitness
• soundness
• health
• robustness
• hardiness
• wholeness
• shape
• healthiness
• wholesomeness
• heartiness
• wellness
• lustiness
• cure
• antidote
• fettle
• antivenom
• antivenin
• panacea
• elixir
• mithridate
• cure-all

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of infection

All of these vaccine-preventable illnesses can lead to severe infections or death and have limited to no treatment options. —Dr. Jade Cobern, ABC News, 7 Jan. 2026

This year’s brutal flu season is a reminder of just how devastating even routine infections can be. —Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026

Vaccinating children also helped protect pregnant women by curbing the spread of infection. —Jake Scott, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026

That single step launches the infection. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 7 Jan. 2026