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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Lula was to be poisoned, while Moraes was to be shot by special forces, according to the indictment.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
19 Feb. 2025
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There’s enough lawbreaking to keep Lou and Henry busy trying to work out who might have poisoned an insufferable tech bro or kidnapped a talentless aspiring actress.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Typically, datasets contaminated with RFI are simply thrown out — but that leads to a lot of data being lost.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
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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In a zany game that featured promotions like a penalty box for fouling players, doubled point values during specific stretches of the game and a 4-point line, Team Bonds won 66-55.—
Christian Babcock,
The Mercury News,
15 Feb. 2025
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The Bruins were forced to foul again and two more Illini free throws sealed their fate during an 83-78 loss inside the State Farm Center.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Infect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infect. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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