infest

verb

in·​fest in-ˈfest 

infested; infesting; infests

transitive verb

1

: to spread or swarm in or over in a troublesome manner

a slum infested with crime

shark-infested waters

2

: to live in or on as a parasite

infestant

in-ˈfe-stənt 

noun

infestation

ˌin-ˌfe-ˈstā-shən 

noun

infester

in-ˈfe-stər 

noun

Synonyms

• overrun

Examples of infest in a Sentence

in desperation, we called in an exterminator because the house was infested with ants

Recent Examples on the Web

Complacent people can infest the minds of those around them. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024

The holdup caused a public outcry because the rule changes are intended to help the Agriculture Department stem the movement of commodities infested by pests, including coconut rhinoceros beetles. —CBS News, 24 Oct. 2024

Their home was infested with termites—millions of them, silently eating through the wooden beams, floors, and walls. —Amplified Content Studio, The Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2024

The house was infested with termites and needed major structural upgrades. —Ernestine Siu, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French infester, from Latin infestare, from infestus hostile

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

infest

verb

in·​fest in-ˈfest 

1

: to spread or swarm in or over in a troublesome manner

a neighborhood infested with crime

shark-infested waters

2

: to live in or on as a parasite

horses infested with worms

infestation

ˌin-ˌfes-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

infest

transitive verb

in·​fest in-ˈfest 

: to live in or on as a parasite

the flea that infests cats

horses infested with worms

compare infect