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 Today’s top glosses are more elegant in texture, infused with nourishing ingredients, and don’t leave your lips feeling sticky and gooey like those of your childhood—but still give you the same beloved reflective shine and volume. — Tasha Nicole Smith, Allure, 2 Nov. 2026 For the next four years, roughly once a month, a Lyft driver took Kewman to Stanford, where a nurse infused either lecanemab or saline into his bloodstream. — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026 The candle, one of six offered by Xinú in addition to its range of eaux de parfum and body care products, is infused with notes of lime, cedarwood, tuberose and moss. — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2026 After studying Central Texas barbecue online and on TV, Santana began infusing his classic Southern meats with the Dominican flavors of oregano, sofrito, adobo, sour orange, molasses, honey, and achiote. — Hilary Cadigan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infuse
Verb
  • Yet the film has established that the MacNeil home is suffused with evil.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The bar serves up a lighter menu of small bites, like tempura black cod with ginger-sesame dipping sauce and succulent local halibut suffused with cilantro and basil.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • With Helen, whom Okonedo imbues with a curious, charming sensitivity, there’s a freedom for Minnie to step outside of her prescribed zone.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • For another, these missing scenes give Rama an actual character arc, and imbue the film with a vital throughline of how various characters approach the idea of divine destiny.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • They were led by Google co-founder Sergey Brin, who invested $102 million, and whom Forbes estimates is among the five wealthiest individuals in the world.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • That includes about $380 million invested by Paraguay's state pension and health fund.
    — EMILIO SANABRIA, Arkansas Online, 4 Nov. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infuse. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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