infested

past tense of infest
as in plagued
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 infested Hives can become infested with Varroa mites, which infect the bees with flight-robbing viruses. Joan Morris, Mercury News, 29 June 2026 The paths through the bush are infested with these ticks, as are many back yards. Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 When left unattended in a basement for a prolonged period, things are bound to acquire mold and mildew or become infested with unwelcome guests. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 June 2026 Remove the stems that are heavily infested. Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 24 June 2026 Other animals that have been infested include sheep, goats and a dog. Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 22 June 2026 Waxman died in 2005, at the age of 81, and the collection has not been maintained for at least a decade, neighbors say, now overgrown and infested with invasive vines. Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026 Use hot water to wash any clothing that could have been infested. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 June 2026 Producer Greer Simpkin noted that the swarms of flies visible throughout required no visual effects – the location was so badly infested that cast and crew regularly swallowed them during takes. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infested
Verb
  • Silva served as Stockton’s mayor from 2013 to 2017, a term that was plagued by scandal.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
  • Drafted in the sixth round, Smack is tasked with stabilizing a position that has plagued Green Bay since Mason Crosby's departure.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • If people do get infected, antiviral treatments like oseltamivir already exist and vaccines could follow if cases rise.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Most norovirus outbreaks occur when people who are already infected spread the virus to others by direct means, such as through sharing food or utensils.
    ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • Chelsea Green crawled from under the ring and evened the odds.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • The animal eventually crawled under a dock.
    Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • In a world often overwhelmed by heartbreak and division, the story confirms that love has a way of continuing on.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
  • Knicks fans nearly overwhelmed it before the floats arrived.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 18 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Infested.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infested. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

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