Definition of infusenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb infuse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of infuse are imbue, ingrain, inoculate, leaven, and suffuse. While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

When could imbue be used to replace infuse?

While the synonyms imbue and infuse are close in meaning, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

In what contexts can ingrain take the place of infuse?

Although the words ingrain and infuse have much in common, ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

When is inoculate a more appropriate choice than infuse?

The meanings of inoculate and infuse largely overlap; however, inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

When can leaven be used instead of infuse?

The synonyms leaven and infuse are sometimes interchangeable, but leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

When would suffuse be a good substitute for infuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to infuse, suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

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 infuse Manuel Bonilla brings a contrasting energy as New Art, infusing the role with youthful optimism that plays against Old Art’s weariness. Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026 That’s in part thanks to the fact that this is infused with actual skin care, including hyaluronic acid. Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026 Plus, Salt&Stone and Maison Louis Marie formulas infuse skin-care ingredients in their scents for supple, scented skin, too. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026 The aromatics do the heavy lifting here, infusing the sauce with personality before getting strained out to create a silky restaurant-style gravy. Jenny Rosenstrach, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infuse
Verb
  • It’s known as the cosmic microwave background, or CMB, and is made up of the light that was released when the hot, dense plasma that suffused the early universe cooled enough to form hydrogen atoms.
    Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The soft natural light suffuses the red clay brick room, centered around long communal tables, introducing an intimate ease that invites you to linger.
    Anais Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • At Hikari, the chefs include yams and a paste made of scallops, which imbue a slight sweetness and umami to the egg dish.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Thanks to both Gosling’s tongue-in-cheek charisma — as well as the curious and utterly sincere personality that Ortiz imbues into Rocky through his voice performance and intuitive puppeteering (with plenty of improvisation) — the movie becomes a disarming interstellar, interspecies bromance.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Magnicity invested about $17 million into the former John Hancock Center, the skyscraper now known as 875 North Michigan Avenue, after buying the 94th floor more than 11 years ago.
    Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Modi's party has struggled to gain ground in the state but has invested heavily to expand its presence.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Infuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infuse. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

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