Synonym Chooser

How does the verb infuse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of infuse are imbue, ingrain, inoculate, leaven, and suffuse. While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

When could imbue be used to replace infuse?

While the synonyms imbue and infuse are close in meaning, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

In what contexts can ingrain take the place of infuse?

Although the words ingrain and infuse have much in common, ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

When is inoculate a more appropriate choice than infuse?

The meanings of inoculate and infuse largely overlap; however, inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

When can leaven be used instead of infuse?

The synonyms leaven and infuse are sometimes interchangeable, but leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

When would suffuse be a good substitute for infuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to infuse, suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

Examples 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 infuse For dessert, there’s matcha tiramisu and panna cotta infused with hojicha, a type of green tea. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2024 Badia described the city as being infused with creativity. Fairchild Studio, WWD, 7 Dec. 2024 Paired with shredded coconut and infused with the punchy flavors of fish sauce, garlic, ginger, and plenty of lime, this plant protein has become a new essential for me. Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appétit, 1 Dec. 2024 This whimsical holiday spectacular features a Broadway-style production infused with contemporary circus acts. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for infuse 

Thesaurus Entries Near infuse

Cite this Entry

“Infuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infuse. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on infuse

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