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
Relevance
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
The moths infesting a pantry are not the same as moths hiding in your closet.
—
Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
No one wants mice moving into their home or infesting their garden.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026
Spotted lanternflies have been infesting parts of the East Coast.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 16 Oct. 2025
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
Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
No one wants mice moving into their home or infesting their garden.
—Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 9 May 2026
Spotted lanternflies have been infesting parts of the East Coast.
—Cate Martel, The Hill, 16 Oct. 2025
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
-
Overall, the vibes at SGF 2026 were markedly up compared to those from last year and 2024, when layoffs plaguing the industry and multiple game cancellations and releases were the main topics of conversation.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
11 June 2026
-
Mass tourism, rising sea levels, and scorching temperatures have been plaguing the unique Italian city.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Wrigley Field West, aka Coors Field, was crawling with Cubs fans on Tuesday night.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
-
He was found on Thursday morning, crawling towards Base Camp, and airlifted to Kathmandu, where doctors are treating him for frostbite, severe dehydration and a fractured thigh bone.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
While the fly is capable of infecting humans and pets, such cases are rare and pose little risk to the broader public, according to experts.—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
She is allowed to roam only within a limited tolerance zone to avoid infecting cattle.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Homeless people overrunning the city.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
The most basic natural method for keeping weeds from overrunning your pavers is manual removal.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infesting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infesting. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
