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
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
Mumps infects the salivary glands below the ears.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
For me, boredom is a destabilizing state that infects the very experiences that make life meaningful.
—Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
Listeria infects about 1,600 people each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body.
—Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 6 Feb. 2026
Lung, stomach and cervical cancers accounted for nearly half of the cases that were linked to modifiable risks, with many linked to viruses and bacteria like the human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori (a common bacterium that infects the stomach lining).
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Listeria infects approximately 1,250 people in the United States annually, by CDC estimate, and kills about 172.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 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, 12 Jan. 2026
Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026
Mumps infects the salivary glands below the ears.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 6 Mar. 2026
For me, boredom is a destabilizing state that infects the very experiences that make life meaningful.
—Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
Listeria infects about 1,600 people each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
Measles is a highly contagious, serious airborne disease caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body.
—Doris Alvarez Cea, Florida Times-Union, 6 Feb. 2026
Lung, stomach and cervical cancers accounted for nearly half of the cases that were linked to modifiable risks, with many linked to viruses and bacteria like the human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B and C, and Helicobacter pylori (a common bacterium that infects the stomach lining).
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Listeria infects approximately 1,250 people in the United States annually, by CDC estimate, and kills about 172.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Jan. 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, 12 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infects
Verb
-
Sensing Scarlet’s resolve to destroy him, Claudius poisons her.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His relationship with his Jewish neighbors, the Brodskys, grows closer as Nazi power corrupts France.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
As Jay Jonah Atterbury, one of a handful of new characters on the fourth season of Industry, Kal Penn weaponizes and corrupts the stoner quirks viewers may recognize from his years playing Kumar Patel in the Harold & Kumar films.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Coal burning power plants are also significant producers of carbon dioxide, a planet-warming gas, and once burned, the fuel leaves a dangerous ashy residue that readily contaminates groundwater and is difficult to remediate.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
25 Feb. 2026
-
These cards may contain batteries or nonrecyclable material that contaminates other paper.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The expansion gives the brand a chance to build on an existing consumer base that is already familiar with and receptive to it.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Five minutes of straight planking probably sounds intense, but this routine incorporates a different variation every 30 seconds, which lessens the intimidation factor and also gives certain muscles a breather while others take on more work.—
Jenny McCoy,
Outside,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Pushing too much hostility between team members or pushing Anthony too hard to be the peacekeeper could easily create an ugly atmosphere that spoils the vibe.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Frozen fruit keeps it affordable year-round and nothing spoils mid-week.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infects. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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