INFECTS Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

infects

verb

present tense third-person singular of infect

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.

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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 The type that usually makes people sick isn’t the same type that usually infects dogs and cats. — Angela Haupt, Time, 12 Aug. 2026 What to know about rabbit fever Caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis, the disease commonly infects rabbits, hares and rodents. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 4 Aug. 2026 The parasite infects food that has come into contact with human feces, most commonly when produce is irrigated or washed with contaminated water. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 The oldest of these clam cancers infects the soft-shell clam, Mya arenaria, of the North American coast. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Experts say that's because cyclospora primarily infects the intestinal tract rather than triggering the type of immune response that creates long-term protection, meaning previous infection should not be viewed as protection against future illness. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 21 July 2026 Cyclospora is a microscopic parasite that infects food that has come into contact with human feces, most commonly when produce is irrigated or washed with contaminated water. — Savannah Peters, Fortune, 18 July 2026 When Ahab first speaks to the crew about Moby Dick, his diabolical charisma soon infects the men who, apart from Starbuck, enthusiastically join him in his monomaniacal crusade. — Literary Hub, 6 July 2026 Tomato Wilt Due To Root-Knot Nematodes Another pest that infects tomato plants below ground is the root-knot nematode. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for infects

Verb

Set in 2029 in a future where no mutants have been born in 25 years, Jackman plays an older, grizzlier Wolverine, one whose healing factor is fading as his adamantium skeleton slowly poisons him.

— Will Harris, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
Any infection can progress to a systemic disease that poisons the blood and body.

— RJ Mackenzie, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of poisons

Verb

Cloud Residence spoils you even further with one pool on the terrace and another pool and a hot tub on its roof.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
Summer spoils passengers with long days to take in the changing scenery, and the Prairies reward with epic sunsets.

— Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of spoils

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infective

infects

infelicitous

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“Infects.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infects. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of infects

verb

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