Meaning & use
infect
To contaminate a person, animal, or plant with a disease-causing organism.
See it in a sentence
The wound became infected after she forgot to clean it properly.
A single sneeze on the crowded bus could infect dozens of passengers.
A note on using this word
Infect can also describe spreading an emotion or attitude, as in her enthusiasm infected the whole team.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. verb
To spread a feeling, idea, or quality quickly among a group of people.
His nervous energy seemed to infect everyone waiting backstage before the show.
Make it your own
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