infesting

present participle of infest
as in plaguing
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 infesting Quagga mussels and golden mussels, fingernail-sized invaders infesting California waterways, clog the water pumps and pipes responsible for distributing water to millions of people and vast stretches of farmland. Pam Marrone, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025 Aphids and Spider Mites These tiny, sap-sucking insects become more active in the fall, infesting flowering and fruiting plants. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infesting
Verb
  • Bersten, 31, reveals he’s been pleased with the Dynasty actress’s work ethic in rehearsal despite the injuries plaguing her.
    Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Pearsall appeared to have reaggravated his knee injury that was plaguing him all week, and he was pulled from the game.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • For a child who’s crawling or walking, a mat with pop-up walls or fencing can keep your little one safe and contained.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Waking up an hour earlier than expected and being hosed with mountain runoff water while crawling in the pool tested my resilience and determination.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Measles outbreaks are infecting more people this year than in any year since the early 1990s and have already killed three.
    Suhail Bhat, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The researchers had shown in 2023 that parasitic scraps of DNA could spread within bacterial populations by hitching rides on the tails of infecting viruses.
    Elie Dolgin, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Yet, there’s a way to do it right to show appreciation for the time and effort in hosting a tailgate—tents, food, drinks, and all—while not overrunning the host’s wishes.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 23 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infesting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infesting. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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