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
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Recent Examples of infested
On the set of Empire, Henson pleaded for a trailer that wasn’t infested with bugs.
—
Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 13 May 2026
If the container held diseased plants, was infested with insects, or is full of mold, throw out the potting mix and replace it.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
The National Park Service says that most human cases of hantavirus occur in the spring and are linked to buildings that become heavily infested with rodents over the winter.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Hilary Crowley, a county spokeswoman, said a $100 million floodgate completed in 2024 has been infested with the relentless mollusks, requiring an expensive removal.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
This is the level of environmental intelligence that helps ensure the home is protected, even if the surrounding neighborhood is infested.
—Kody Boye, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
Imagine a cabin infested with mice infected by the virus – sweeping the cabin would shake up dust from the mouse urine and droppings, distributing it through the air and enabling people to inhale the viral particles.
—Daniel Pastula, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
Among those lost were four maples and about 20 ash trees infested with emerald ash borers, said David Dammon, vice president of MVCC’s Administrative Services.
—Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Back in December, agents also seized four pounds of non-human primate meat, along with 11 pounds of beans infested by pests, and 17 pounds of an unknown plant from a passenger from Congo.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 13 May 2026
If the container held diseased plants, was infested with insects, or is full of mold, throw out the potting mix and replace it.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
The National Park Service says that most human cases of hantavirus occur in the spring and are linked to buildings that become heavily infested with rodents over the winter.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
Hilary Crowley, a county spokeswoman, said a $100 million floodgate completed in 2024 has been infested with the relentless mollusks, requiring an expensive removal.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
This is the level of environmental intelligence that helps ensure the home is protected, even if the surrounding neighborhood is infested.
—Kody Boye, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026
Imagine a cabin infested with mice infected by the virus – sweeping the cabin would shake up dust from the mouse urine and droppings, distributing it through the air and enabling people to inhale the viral particles.
—Daniel Pastula, The Conversation, 7 May 2026
Among those lost were four maples and about 20 ash trees infested with emerald ash borers, said David Dammon, vice president of MVCC’s Administrative Services.
—Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Back in December, agents also seized four pounds of non-human primate meat, along with 11 pounds of beans infested by pests, and 17 pounds of an unknown plant from a passenger from Congo.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infested
Verb
-
Her excuse was that the robbery was a sign that Preston was plagued by bad luck.—
Sabrina Reed,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
-
Despite that underlying tension, kids play on the street outside while the large family has a dynamic like any other — noisily squabbling, joking, or in the case of the matriarchal grandmother, Mariam (Hiam Abbass), preparing a meal in a kitchen plagued by constant utility outages.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The Americans in Nebraska were among around 150 cruise passengers who spent weeks aboard the MV Hondius, a ship hit with a deadly hantavirus outbreak that has infected at least 11 people, including three who died, according to the World Health Organization.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
15 May 2026
-
In previous outbreaks, the virus has killed between 25-90% of those infected.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Woods ultimately crawled out of the passenger side of his Land Rover after the crash.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
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When a Republican says something foolish, network anchors react like a gator just crawled into the studio wearing a MAGA hat.—
Larry Clifton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
One video from the scene showed a police officer overwhelmed by the crowd, and using pepper spray to control the mob.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
-
That experience lead her to create Reale Actives, in hopes of making the treatment both aesthetically nicer than a lot of what's on the market, as well as simpler for those overwhelmed by all the treatment options.—
Beth Shapouri,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infested.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infested. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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