as in poisoning
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 infecting
The duo’s follow-up project Los Frikis, a drama based on true events about group of punk rockers in ’90s Cuba who cultivate a utopian refuge from society after deliberately infecting themselves with HIV, was similarly lauded.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
To pursue that work, Sassetti’s NIH grant paid for collecting blood samples from people in Lima, Peru — who carry a unique immune gene — and then infecting their cells with TB in the lab.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
Aisuru and Kimwolf work by first infecting vulnerable online devices, enslaving them into a network of hijacked computers.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Measles is incredibly transmissible and can easily travel home with us, infecting others in our schools and communities.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
The suppurating contempt Sheridan feels for the Big Apple oozes its way through much of the series, its condescending pus infecting stunning vistas, swelling musical compositions and at least one award-worthy performance, courtesy of Michelle Pfeiffer.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
People who develop symptoms after an exposure should call before seeking medical care, to reduce the odds of infecting others.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
As the train departs, a sick woman begins transitioning into a zombie — and infecting everyone around her.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
After infecting a host’s skin, the fungus disrupts the body’s electrolytes through a disease called chytridiomycosis.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Mar. 2026
To pursue that work, Sassetti’s NIH grant paid for collecting blood samples from people in Lima, Peru — who carry a unique immune gene — and then infecting their cells with TB in the lab.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
Aisuru and Kimwolf work by first infecting vulnerable online devices, enslaving them into a network of hijacked computers.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026
Measles is incredibly transmissible and can easily travel home with us, infecting others in our schools and communities.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
The suppurating contempt Sheridan feels for the Big Apple oozes its way through much of the series, its condescending pus infecting stunning vistas, swelling musical compositions and at least one award-worthy performance, courtesy of Michelle Pfeiffer.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Mar. 2026
People who develop symptoms after an exposure should call before seeking medical care, to reduce the odds of infecting others.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026
As the train departs, a sick woman begins transitioning into a zombie — and infecting everyone around her.
—Ilana Gordon, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Mar. 2026
After infecting a host’s skin, the fungus disrupts the body’s electrolytes through a disease called chytridiomycosis.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infecting
Verb
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In the Middle Ages, local churchgoers whispered of clannish Jews poisoning wells to kill Christian children and steal their blood for their rituals.—
Mike Rothschild,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
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After Kouri Richins was charged with murder for fatally poisoning her husband with fentanyl, a friend of the Utah mother of three had a difficult time reconciling that.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For Hildegard of Bingen, the German mystic, scientist, composer, and philosopher, women’s maternal bodies were not corrupting and degrading, but strong, nurturing, and creative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
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In his Phaedrus, Plato attacked reading as corrupting true philosophical dialectic.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Although banned in Venezuela, mercury remains prevalent in mining areas, contaminating rivers and exposing workers and nearby communities to toxic effects.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
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These compounds do not break down in the environment and can easily migrate into the air, dust, food and soil, also contaminating nearly half the drinking water in the United States.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With Duke playing keep-away to prevent the Huskies from fouling, Cayden Boozer’s pass near midcourt was deflected, and after UConn came up with the ball, Demary made a shot from well behind the 3-point line.—
Noah Trister,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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With Duke playing keep-away to prevent the Huskies from fouling, Cayden Boozer’s pass near midcourt was deflected, and after UConn came up with the ball, Demary made a shot from well behind the three-point line.—
Senior Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Without spoiling too much, Kane and Palk get to bond over their Kansas City roots in the beginning of the show.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
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The Angels lost to the Mariners, 3-1 in 10 innings, on Friday, spoiling the home opener for an Angel Stadium sell-out crowd of 44,931.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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One law created new oversight, requiring oil companies to open their books and giving regulators more visibility into refinery profits and operations.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Clever Mercury in your sign trines lucky Jupiter in your 5th House of Delight, giving your words a playful glow and encouraging authentic self-expression.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infecting. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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