infest

as in to plague
to spread or swarm over in a troublesome manner in desperation, we called in an exterminator because the house was infested with ants

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of infest In Leech, a parasitic hive mind that infests people discovers another parasitic hive mind that infests people, competing for the same brain space (told in first-person from the POV of the former parasitic hive mind). Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 As if dealing with fleas in your yard isn’t enough, these little bloodsuckers can infest your home, too. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 31 Mar. 2025 In Leech, a parasitic hive mind that infests people discovers another parasitic hive mind that infests people, competing for the same brain space (told in first-person from the POV of the former parasitic hive mind). Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025 Unfortunately, that owner lived in a home that was overwhelmed by hoarding and she was infested with fleas as a result. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infest
Verb
  • But the final 22 minutes of Game 5 demonstrated the same weaknesses that plagued Orlando for the entire season and throughout the playoff series.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • But this preoccupation may have been a way to offset the general malaise that plagued her.
    Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • People usually get infected with the bacteria by eating raw shellfish, especially oysters, or through an open wound that has direct contact with saltwater.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Many people are actually infected with H. pylori and don’t experience any symptoms, but around 15% will go on to develop an ulcer in either their stomach (known as a gastric ulcer) or a portion of the small intestine called the duodenum (known as a duodenal ulcer).
    Caroline Tien, SELF, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • There is no near-term threat Russia will overrun the Ukrainian Army if the current limited amount of U.S. aid ends, given Ukraine’s domestic armament production and assistance from European countries.
    Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • This 1998 sci-fi thriller sees Josh Hartnett attempt to stop his school from being overrun by parasitic aliens.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Freya crawled on top of her, interrupting the seizure.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Continue to update your site with new, high-quality blogs, and search engines will more frequently crawl your site.
    Tonia Ryan, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Minnesota overwhelmed the Lakers throughout the series, using its length to take down Los Angeles.
    Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • The supermodel recalled her biological father relinquishing his parental rights to her and her brother in a Los Angeles County courtroom — and the feeling overwhelmed her.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infest. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

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