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
Despite a recent uptick in cases, Vibrio vulnificus infections are still rare.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
The risk is even higher for those who develop Legionnaires’ disease while staying in a healthcare facility, with approximately one in four dying from the infection.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Aug. 2025
As a consequence, this causes severe pain, anemia, organ damage and infections.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Joint fluid analysis: Your doctor may draw a small sample of synovial fluid from a swollen joint to help rule out conditions like gout or joint infections.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infection
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025
The risk is even higher for those who develop Legionnaires’ disease while staying in a healthcare facility, with approximately one in four dying from the infection.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Aug. 2025
As a consequence, this causes severe pain, anemia, organ damage and infections.
—Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025
Joint fluid analysis: Your doctor may draw a small sample of synovial fluid from a swollen joint to help rule out conditions like gout or joint infections.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infection
Noun
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Most countries that are polio-free today used this vaccine to stop the virus, including India — long thought to be the most difficult place to end polio.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Aug. 2025
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Septic shock results from a severe infection with a germ (e.g., bacteria, virus, fungus, or parasite).—
Colleen Doherty,
Verywell Health,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Raw milk is dairy milk that has not been pasteurized, a process that removes disease-causing germs by heating milk to a high enough temperature for a certain length of time, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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There might be a germ of truth in it, there might have been a broken engagement or something like it, but at the altar?—
Anne Enright,
New Yorker,
27 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infection. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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