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
At least 48 people have been infected, and 13 have been hospitalized, according to the state health department.
—
Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2025
Those flocks were infected by B3.13, state veterinarian Hallie Hasel tells CBS News.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2025
But a person infected with bird flu who isn't experiencing any symptoms is unlikely to get tested.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
In contrast, influenza B can only infect humans and is less likely to mutate than the A-type counterparts.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for infect 
Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2025
Those flocks were infected by B3.13, state veterinarian Hallie Hasel tells CBS News.
—Alexander Tin, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2025
But a person infected with bird flu who isn't experiencing any symptoms is unlikely to get tested.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
In contrast, influenza B can only infect humans and is less likely to mutate than the A-type counterparts.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for infect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infect
Verb
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With Tranquil Pines, Matty and Olympia win their case by proving that Lucille poisoned Walter.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2025
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have long hated the British media and framed their declining popularity in the U.K. as a product of tabloids poisoning the well of public opinion.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
2 Feb. 2025
Verb
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This included managing massive radioactive waste sites and ensuring the material there doesn't further contaminate nearby communities.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2025
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This included managing massive radioactive waste sites and ensuring the material there doesn’t further contaminate nearby communities.—
Tara Copp and Anthony Izaguirre,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Dodge won't spoil the surprise by confirming if the last one will be based on the Charger or the Challenger (or maybe both), but the evidence suggests the latter is more likely.—
Jack Fitzgerald,
Car and Driver,
13 Feb. 2023
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Farmers’ broiler chickens suffocate, and dairy products spoil.—
Monica Mark,
The Christian Science Monitor,
10 Feb. 2023
Verb
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Romero fouled Mbappe from behind as the France international ran clear on the counter-attack.—
Dermot Corrigan,
The Athletic,
8 Feb. 2025
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Okpara’s transition lay-up tied the game at 69-69 with 1:41 remaining, but on Wake’s next possession, Stanford’s Ryan Agarwal fouled Cameron Hildreth, who made both ends of a 1-and-1 with 1:20 to play to put the Demon Deacons ahead to stay.—
Harold Gutmann,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near infect
Cite this Entry
“Infect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infect. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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