as in virus
an abnormal state caused by contact with harmful organisms (such as bacteria or viruses)
There is a viral infection spreading among the schoolchildren.
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Recent Examples of infection
According to screenshots of a data table made available by the Washington Post, there appear to have been two households impacted by the virus, though there were no specifics to identify where these infections occurred.
—
Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025
No human infection has been found in association with the flock, but the county’s health department reminded backyard poultry and livestock owners to take precautions such as handwashing to prevent transmission.
—Jia Jung, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
However, the underlying causes of hives, such as bacterial or viral infections, can sometimes be spread from person to person.36
Eczema can also become infected by a bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus or a virus like herpes simplex virus (HSV).
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Feb. 2025
However, throngs of people wading into the Ganga often stoked the dread of infection and disease.
—Sudipta Sen, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for infection 
Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025
No human infection has been found in association with the flock, but the county’s health department reminded backyard poultry and livestock owners to take precautions such as handwashing to prevent transmission.
—Jia Jung, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
However, the underlying causes of hives, such as bacterial or viral infections, can sometimes be spread from person to person.36
Eczema can also become infected by a bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus or a virus like herpes simplex virus (HSV).
—Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Feb. 2025
However, throngs of people wading into the Ganga often stoked the dread of infection and disease.
—Sudipta Sen, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for infection
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Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infection. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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