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
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, 12 Jan. 2026
Lack of income is a contagion that infects self-worth, confidence and the ability to be present in life.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Her son, Jett James East, had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a highly contagious virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Contrary to its original name, the virus mostly infects rodents and occasionally crossed over into humans.
—Patrick Jackson, The Conversation, 7 Jan. 2026
Powdery mildew fungi are host-specific, meaning each fungal species only infects specific plant species.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
In their natural hosts, which include ducks and seagulls, the avian virus often infects the gut, where temperatures can reach 40–42°C.
—Health Reporter, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeria infects 1,250 people per year in the United States, 172 of which are killed by the infection.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Nov. 2025
His eerie behavior soon infects the quiet rhythms of their rural town, sparking paranoia, violence, and death.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Dan Raby, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
Lack of income is a contagion that infects self-worth, confidence and the ability to be present in life.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Her son, Jett James East, had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a highly contagious virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Contrary to its original name, the virus mostly infects rodents and occasionally crossed over into humans.
—Patrick Jackson, The Conversation, 7 Jan. 2026
Powdery mildew fungi are host-specific, meaning each fungal species only infects specific plant species.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
In their natural hosts, which include ducks and seagulls, the avian virus often infects the gut, where temperatures can reach 40–42°C.
—Health Reporter, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, listeria infects 1,250 people per year in the United States, 172 of which are killed by the infection.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Nov. 2025
His eerie behavior soon infects the quiet rhythms of their rural town, sparking paranoia, violence, and death.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infects
Verb
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Instead of a warning event, Expeditions imagines the historical fall that corrupts the Earth.—
Nola Taylor Tillman,
Space.com,
21 Dec. 2025
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Rather than simply attacking YoungBoy, Choppa frames himself as a corrective force, casting YoungBoy as someone who corrupts impressionable listeners.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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These cards may contain batteries or nonrecyclable material that contaminates other paper.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
31 Dec. 2025
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Untreated nitrogen often contaminates groundwater and causes algal blooms that damage ecosystems.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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That gives the car a one-to-one power-to-weight ratio, a figure usually reserved for modern hypercars.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
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Using music for change, a pair of winners gives children a voice through songwriting.—
Sharon Chin,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Conveniently located close to iconic sights, the downtown hotel spoils with a rooftop pool, buzzy restaurant, and bar in a sensory-rich, art-laden setting.—
Kathryn Streeter,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
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Pre-cut produce also spoils quicker and could pick up pathogens when sliced open.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Infects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infects. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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