as in poisons
to pass something harmful (such as a disease) to someone or something else
If you come to work when you're sick, you'll infect everyone in the office.
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Recent Examples of infects
Powdery mildew fungi are host-specific, meaning each fungal species only infects specific plant species.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 May 2026
Orthoebolaviruses are also known to cause hemorrhagic fever, in which the virus infects specific immune cells, triggering a massive inflammatory response that can lead to internal bleeding and organ failure.
—Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 22 May 2026
Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The Sin Nombre hantavirus is the most common cause of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in North America and infects humans by way of the saliva, urine or droppings of deer mice, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 16 May 2026
According to PetMD, Salmonella infects the gastrointestinal tract of pets.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
One point public health officials have repeatedly emphasized is that hantavirus normally infects people who come into contact with urine or droppings from infected rats.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
The disease currently at the center of a cruise ship outbreak – caused by hantavirus, which infects thousands each year around the world – has some wondering about the standard treatment process and possible prevention strategies.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The former is caused by bacteria that infects the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to inflammation.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 25 May 2026
Orthoebolaviruses are also known to cause hemorrhagic fever, in which the virus infects specific immune cells, triggering a massive inflammatory response that can lead to internal bleeding and organ failure.
—Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 22 May 2026
Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a rash.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 19 May 2026
The Sin Nombre hantavirus is the most common cause of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in North America and infects humans by way of the saliva, urine or droppings of deer mice, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 16 May 2026
According to PetMD, Salmonella infects the gastrointestinal tract of pets.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
One point public health officials have repeatedly emphasized is that hantavirus normally infects people who come into contact with urine or droppings from infected rats.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
The disease currently at the center of a cruise ship outbreak – caused by hantavirus, which infects thousands each year around the world – has some wondering about the standard treatment process and possible prevention strategies.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The former is caused by bacteria that infects the protective lining of the brain and spinal cord, which can lead to inflammation.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infects
Verb
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Meanwhile, the unceasing churn of clothing, footwear and accessories depletes soils, poisons the water, pollutes the air, drives deforestation, accelerates biodiversity loss and generates runaway planet-warming emissions that undermine brands’ lofty environmental ambitions.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
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And two, baking soda is an indiscriminate weed killer that poisons the soil.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One nanny will try to get to the bottom of it before all the partying, power and privilege corrupts her.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
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The criticism most often leveled at proposals to support journalism is that government money corrupts editorial independence, which is a very real concern.—
Julian Baron,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While water salinity isn't a major issue in most regulated urban water systems, Gupta said the concern mainly applies in coastal and low-lying regions where saltwater intrusion contaminates groundwater, increasing sodium concentrations in drinking water.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
11 May 2026
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The practice contaminates the legal supply chain, threatens public health, and erases tax liability, industry insiders and officials say.—
Karen Morfitt,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This is not the only palace hotel on the Bosphorus, as views from the water will attest, but its smaller size compared to the competition gives it the exclusivity for which Four Seasons properties are known.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Landing the greatest shooter in NBA history gives Li-Ning a marquee athlete and further strengthens China's growing presence in the league.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Telling more than that spoils what happens.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
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Pre-cut produce also spoils quicker and could pick up pathogens when sliced open.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infects. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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