INFUSE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

infuse

verb

in-ˈfyüz

Definition of infuse next

as in to suffuse

to cause (as a person) to become filled or saturated with a certain quality or principle parents who infuse their children with strong moral values

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Georgia law does not authorize the sale or possession of marijuana in leaf for or infused in food products. —

Irene Wright, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026 Its Julnâr is full of texture and subtle layers, mixing champagne with sea lettuce, honey, celery, and vodka infused with pine needles. —

Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026 The cookie features dark chocolate dough infused with espresso and semi-sweet and white chocolate morsels, hand-dipped in espresso white chocolate and topped with three coffee beans. —

Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026 That infused product packaging as well as, in fashion, the styling of the models and merchandising units, allowing for a visual link. —

Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infuse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for infuse

Verb

Your energetic 5th house hosts the meeting of Mercury and Pluto, suffusing your hobbies with cosmic delight.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
Reid seemed to truly believe, despite the partisanship that suffused the column, that the Senate had been badly damaged.

— Jon Ralston, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026

Definition of suffuse

Browse Nearby Words

infuriations

infuse

infused

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Infuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infuse. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 12 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of infuse

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on infuse

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

canoodle

Popular in Grammar & Usage

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

'Buck naked' or 'butt naked'?

What does 'etcetera' mean?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Why Is the Letter ‘Z’ Associated With Sleeping?

The Words of the Week - Feb. 13

Why do we call it 'ides of March'?

Popular

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Did Orange the Fruit or the Color Come First?

Games & Quizzes