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

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 infuse Laneige has been ramping up its specialty food partnerships lately, tapping popular brands such as La La Land Kind Café, Bobo Guys and Dough Donuts to infuse heritage flavors into its soothing lip care formula. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 10 July 2025 Writing about a filmmaker for Porthole was a kind of culmination of all these film memories and factoids that my mother infused into me. Joanna Howard july 10, Literary Hub, 10 July 2025 It’s also infused with glycerin and shea butter for an extra dose of hydration throughout the day. Izzy Baskette, People.com, 7 July 2025 Additionally, using a gentle, acne-fighting body wash infused with ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, which kills bacteria, and exfoliating glycolic and salicylic acids is beneficial for treating acne and reducing the appearance of dark spots over time. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for infuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infuse
Verb
  • The news people are announcing on repeat a mantra suffused with an English lilt in their mouths, that the fires haven’t gorged themselves on the rainforests like this in over half a century.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2025
  • What makes the series so delightful is Osman’s wicked sense of humor, and the empathy suffused throughout.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • His seamless execution of steps and elegance of line form but one part of his distinctive quality; how his technique is imbued with expressive feeling is what makes his performances so potent.
    Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 28 June 2025
  • All three actors imbue their roles with a quiet dignity.
    Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infuse. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

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