as in to poison
to pass something harmful (such as a disease) to someone or something else
If you come to work when you're sick, you'll infect everyone in the office.
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Recent Examples of infect
While anyone can become infected with the flu, certain groups have a greater risk for serious complications, including young kids, seniors, people who are pregnant and people with health conditions such as asthma and chronic lung disease, among others, the CDC said.
—
Sara Schilling, Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
Gallagher believes the bacteria infected her body through a small cut on her left leg.
—Mollye Barrows, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
However, the vast majority of these articles aren’t about vaccines but about the harms of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
—Deborah Fuller, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
The marsupials are infected by a different strain of the disease than humans.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infect
Sara Schilling, Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
Gallagher believes the bacteria infected her body through a small cut on her left leg.
—Mollye Barrows, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
However, the vast majority of these articles aren’t about vaccines but about the harms of getting infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
—Deborah Fuller, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
The marsupials are infected by a different strain of the disease than humans.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infect
Verb
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Thousands of multivitamin bottles sold on Amazon and other websites have been recalled over a risk of serious injury or death by poisoning.—
Joel Thayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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During World War II, Husseini became a Nazi collaborator, broadcasting propaganda into the Arab world, touring death camps with his friend Heinrich Himmler, recruiting SS divisions, and hatching a plot to poison Tel Aviv’s water supply.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Without rigorous sandboxing or permission boundaries, an agent can accidentally run malicious commands, contaminate data or overload mission-critical systems.—
Steve Durbin,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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In late August, contaminated oysters sickened several people in Louisiana, killing two people and sending 22 others to the hospital.—
Mollye Barrows,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Despite Alfred and Jefferson-Wooden being the clear favorites for gold in the 100-meter dash, there are a few others besides Fraser-Pryce who could spoil the party.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Instead, the couple is content to spoil their dog, Bimini, a mini Labradoodle whom Berk first introduced on his Instagram in 2021.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sporting was awarded the spot kick after a video review revealed Shapi Suleymanov had been fouled while dribbling in on goal.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
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In the first inning as the Blue Jays wore down the Yankees by putting balls in play and fouling off pitches, Judge was tested for the first time on a single by Nathan Lukes.—
Larry Fleisher,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Infect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infect. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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