infest

Definition of infestnext
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 Hilary Crowley, a county spokeswoman, said a $100 million floodgate completed in 2024 has been infested with the relentless mollusks, requiring an expensive removal. Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 8 May 2026 This is the level of environmental intelligence that helps ensure the home is protected, even if the surrounding neighborhood is infested. Kody Boye, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2026 Imagine a cabin infested with mice infected by the virus – sweeping the cabin would shake up dust from the mouse urine and droppings, distributing it through the air and enabling people to inhale the viral particles. Daniel Pastula, The Conversation, 7 May 2026 Among those lost were four maples and about 20 ash trees infested with emerald ash borers, said David Dammon, vice president of MVCC’s Administrative Services. Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infest
Verb
  • Despite that underlying tension, kids play on the street outside while the large family has a dynamic like any other — noisily squabbling, joking, or in the case of the matriarchal grandmother, Mariam (Hiam Abbass), preparing a meal in a kitchen plagued by constant utility outages.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
  • That's still an incredible class, especially considering the doldrums that have plagued the UCLA football program for the past decade plus.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Of the 25 people who received blood serum testing, one asymptomatic veterinary professional showed evidence of a H5N1 infection after exposure to a cat infected with the disease.
    Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
  • For example, our research suggests that investors would discount a $1 million bond issued by a rural county by nearly $14,000 if that county’s bats have become infected by white-nose syndrome.
    The Conversation, Fortune, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • The Georgia city’s northwest Buckhead neighborhood has been overrun in the last couple of weeks by empty, driverless ride-share vehicles due to an apparent routing behavior issue.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026
  • Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández overran the ricochet.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • Surveillance video from one convenience store that was burglarized shows a man in a hoodie crawling in through a hole in the bottom of the front door, climbing over the front counter and opening the cash register.
    CBS News, CBS News, 14 May 2026
  • Staff started out by wearing bear masks and animal furs, then crawling into the enclosure to spoon-feed the cubs formula.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • Aging in ex-bourbon oak barrels adds vanilla and caramel notes without overwhelming the spirit’s lighter structure.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
  • To allow your anger at the cosmic unluckiness of a friend’s far-too-early passing be overwhelmed by your gratitude at the cosmic luckiness of ever having met them at all.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Infest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infest. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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