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 Despite more than a year of oversight, Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., said universities continue to be infested with antisemitism. Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 7 May 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 The royal palace is infested with evil spirits and one of them has taken hold of the young prince. Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025 And, even in a Western, rural area, your property would need to be infested with wild rodents carrying the virus. Julia Ries, Health, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infest
Verb
  • In a region plagued by foreign interference and democratic decline, Traoré's message resonates with disillusioned youth.
    Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
  • To top it off, an air traffic control meltdown plagued Newark Liberty International Airport for weeks after staffing shortages and technology outages caused hours-long delays.
    Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on May 22 that certain frozen, raw and half-shell oysters from South Korea could be infected with norovirus.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 24 May 2025
  • Measles is highly contagious and can spread from one person to nine out of 10 people close to them, according to the CDC, which notes a person infected with measles can spread it to others four days before through four days after the rash appears.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • The landing maneuver was unsuccessful: the Airbus overran the runway and crashed into a TAM cargo building located directly across from the airport.
    Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Russia illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 after sending troops to overrun it.
    Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The woman crawled to her bathroom and pulled the emergency cord, then the facility staff called 911, deputies said.
    Olivia Lloyd, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025
  • Here, 15 of the softest sheets that will convince you that crawling into bed at 9 p.m. is equivalent to self-care.
    Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Authorities said rushing water in a nearby creek overwhelmed the area.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Whatever the case, Indiana’s full-court pressure, physicality on the perimeter and timely shooting overwhelmed the Cavs at times and were enough to overcome early and late deficits at other points throughout the series.
    Joe Vardon, New York Times, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infest. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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