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View synonyms for

infest

[in-fest]

verb (used with object)

  1. to live in or overrun to an unwanted degree or in a troublesome manner, especially as predatory animals or vermin do.

    I had a major problem with cockroaches infesting my kitchen.

    The emerald ash borer has already infested many of the local ash trees.

  2. to be numerous in, as anything undesirable or troublesome.

    the cares that infest the day.

  3. Archaic.to harass.



infest

/ ɪˈɛ /

verb

  1. to inhabit or overrun in dangerously or unpleasantly large numbers

  2. (of parasites such as lice) to invade and live on or in (a host)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • infester noun
  • reinfest verb (used with object)
  • ˌԴڱˈٲپDz noun
  • ˈڱٱ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of infest1

First recorded in 1375–1425; from late Middle English, from Latin Դڱ “to assail, molest,” from infestus “hDzپ”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of infest1

C15: from Latin Դڱ to molest, from infestus hostile
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“The Rat Race” is a nod at Carrie’s discovery that her courtyard’s garden is infested with vermin, forcing her to tear it out and start over.

From

Another district, covering the southwestern corner of San Bernardino County, logged an average decrease of 44% across several heavily infested places where it unleashed the sterile males last year, compared with pre-intervention levels.

From

"Human-mediated movement of infested animals remains a key driver. The trend could continue unless regional movement controls and surveillance are strengthened."

From

Days into our temporary sublet, we discovered it was infested with bed bugs.

From

Rats had infested the assisted living facility in Van Nuys, state investigators said.

From

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infertilityinfestation