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
Signs of a fungal infection include distinct brown or yellow patches on the lawn.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
If the location of that first infection is in the US, however, the research could lend significant weight to the idea that measles has been continually transmitting in the country for longer than a year, the threshold fordetermining elimination.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The family of Stephen Nolte, a Navy veteran who died at 71 after contracting a bacterial infection following open-heart surgery at The University of Kansas Hospital, testified in Wyandotte County District Court about his life and agonizing decline.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Symptoms of a Vibrio infection vary, depending on how the bacteria is contracted.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infection
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
If the location of that first infection is in the US, however, the research could lend significant weight to the idea that measles has been continually transmitting in the country for longer than a year, the threshold fordetermining elimination.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The family of Stephen Nolte, a Navy veteran who died at 71 after contracting a bacterial infection following open-heart surgery at The University of Kansas Hospital, testified in Wyandotte County District Court about his life and agonizing decline.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Symptoms of a Vibrio infection vary, depending on how the bacteria is contracted.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infection
Noun
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Because the virus is so contagious, lingering in air for up to two hours after a person leaves the room, high vaccination coverage in an area, more than 95%, is needed to stop it from spreading.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
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In a phone interview, Williams, the Kalesta co-founder, said Darby’s death occurred during the most challenging point of the covid pandemic, when California rules required any nurses testing positive for the virus to be sent home and nurses were quitting out of fear for their health.—
Jordan Rau,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Where germs thrive in your water bottle The interior.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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Since they’re touched by everyone in the house all day and night long, these small surfaces accumulate a massive amount of germs and rarely get cleaned.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infection. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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