as in virus
an abnormal state caused by contact with harmful organisms (such as bacteria or viruses)
There is a viral infection spreading among the schoolchildren.
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Recent Examples of infection
Signs of a fungal infection include distinct brown or yellow patches on the lawn.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
If the location of that first infection is in the US, however, the research could lend significant weight to the idea that measles has been continually transmitting in the country for longer than a year, the threshold fordetermining elimination.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The family of Stephen Nolte, a Navy veteran who died at 71 after contracting a bacterial infection following open-heart surgery at The University of Kansas Hospital, testified in Wyandotte County District Court about his life and agonizing decline.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Symptoms of a Vibrio infection vary, depending on how the bacteria is contracted.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infection
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2026
If the location of that first infection is in the US, however, the research could lend significant weight to the idea that measles has been continually transmitting in the country for longer than a year, the threshold fordetermining elimination.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
The family of Stephen Nolte, a Navy veteran who died at 71 after contracting a bacterial infection following open-heart surgery at The University of Kansas Hospital, testified in Wyandotte County District Court about his life and agonizing decline.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
Symptoms of a Vibrio infection vary, depending on how the bacteria is contracted.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infection
Noun
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Measles symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus and often include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
On the one hand, the virus ensures that nothing will ever be the same again.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Inside, microorganisms break down the body into soil in a natural process that generates heat to reach temperatures of 131 F (55 C) or higher — enough to kill germs.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
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These germs can easily spread to anything in the areas where the poultry live and roam.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infection. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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