as in poisons
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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 infects
In both places, the virus also infects immune cells that carry it to the lymph nodes, and from there, throughout the body.
—
Peter Kasson, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025
This highly contagious bird flu infects flocks that must then be culled to prevent the spread of the disease, thereby slashing the number of laying hens and ultimately the stockpile of eggs, ratcheting up the price.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Climate change is also increasing the frequency of vibrio blooms, a flesh-eating bacteria found in seawater that infects people through cuts or by eating raw shellfish.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.
—Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
The converted documents also may contain malware that infects the computer when that document is opened, the release stated.
—Sofia Joucovsky, The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2025
What began as an issue with one team member infects the entire team.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
This philosophy infects every part of government.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 9 Feb. 2025
Scientists have discovered a fungal species that infects spiders and appears to control their behavior, compelling them to leave their usual hiding places before succumbing to the deadly infection.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Peter Kasson, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2025
This highly contagious bird flu infects flocks that must then be culled to prevent the spread of the disease, thereby slashing the number of laying hens and ultimately the stockpile of eggs, ratcheting up the price.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Climate change is also increasing the frequency of vibrio blooms, a flesh-eating bacteria found in seawater that infects people through cuts or by eating raw shellfish.
—Laura Paddison, CNN, 17 Mar. 2025
Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.
—Devi Shastri, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025
The converted documents also may contain malware that infects the computer when that document is opened, the release stated.
—Sofia Joucovsky, The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2025
What began as an issue with one team member infects the entire team.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
This philosophy infects every part of government.
—Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 9 Feb. 2025
Scientists have discovered a fungal species that infects spiders and appears to control their behavior, compelling them to leave their usual hiding places before succumbing to the deadly infection.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Infects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infects. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share