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 Well, beauty ice cubes do the trick without all the mess, plus they’re infused with skincare ingredients. Essence, 27 June 2025 Unlike her eyebrow-raising recent collaboration with men’s personal hygiene company Dr. Squatch, no, the rainbow sherbet is not infused with her bathwater. Nikki Sternberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 June 2025 The spirit is infused with nine different botanicals, including juniper, cinnamon, almonds, and orris root. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 24 June 2025 The Puerto Rican duo’s second album — its first in five years — sees co-founders Raquel Berrios and Luis Alfredo del Valle dive deeper into their intimate reflections on modern relationships, infusing stories of romantic struggles with pulsating basslines and dreamy melodies. Luisa Calle, Billboard, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for infuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infuse
Verb
  • That kind of fine-dining lineage suffused itself into the subtext of the 2025 awards.
    Caroline Hatchett, Robb Report, 19 June 2025
  • Above all, it was suffused with a belief that Italian cuisine was one of civilization’s great achievements.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • His seamless execution of steps and elegance of line form but one part of his distinctive quality; how his technique is imbued with expressive feeling is what makes his performances so potent.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
  • All three actors imbue their roles with a quiet dignity.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infuse. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infuse

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