infest

as in to plague
to spread or swarm over in a troublesome manner in desperation, we called in an exterminator because the house was infested with ants

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 infest But humans can also become infested by the larvae, according to the CDC. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 26 Aug. 2025 People who travel to these areas, spend time among livestock animals, sleep outdoors, and have an open wound are at greater risk of becoming infested with NWS. Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025 People who travel to outbreak areas, spend time among livestock animals, sleep outdoors, and have an open wound are at greater risk of becoming infested with screwworm, the CDC noted. Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2025 Sometimes, the bug can infest people. Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 25 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infest
Verb
  • In 1988, a catastrophic heat wave and drought plagued the United States, killing thousands of people and triggering over $80 billion in damage.
    Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Getty Images The Department of Education posted a new update on Monday on massive application backlogs plaguing several federal student loan forgiveness and repayment programs.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Cats can become infected by ingesting raw meat or prey that carries the parasite.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The Deadly Kissing Bug, or an infected triatomine insect, are infected by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites.
    Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In April, Zamzam, Sudan's largest refugee camp, home to more than half a million people, was overrun by the RSF, leaving hundreds dead, including aid workers from Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and Relief International.
    Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Although the city had previously cleared Columbus Park, RVs and encampments returned and overran the public space.
    Devan Patel, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • And to get there, visitors will have to make their way through scare zones brimming with crawling monsters and roaring chainsaws.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Insects crawled through clinical areas, and staff food was stored alongside medical supplies.
    Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • And in moments when a winner did say what was on their mind, the Boys & Girls Club bit overwhelmed them.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
  • This type of pressure would overwhelm most professionals, yet Nate Bargatze accepted the offer to host the 2025 Emmys.
    Stacey Stratton, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infest. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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