Synonyms of infectednext
: having an infection : contaminated with an infective agent (such as a bacterium or virus)
an infected wound
Through a number of different means, these viruses persist at very low, hard-to-detect levels in infected cells.—The Journal of the American Medical Association
She explains that leptospirosis bacteria are shed in the urine of infected animals.—Tania Banak
The fungus produces as many as 1 million conidia per square centimeter of infected leaf surface.—G. B. Lucas

infected

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of infect

Examples of infected in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
When bird flu is found in a Wisconsin flock, the state sets up a control area within 10 kilometers, or about 6 miles, of the infected property. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 The spyware now performs more data collection directly on the infected phone and gives attackers additional control over what happens next. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Most infected people suffer through four to seven days of fever, stomachaches and diarrhea without needing to visit a hospital or urgent care facility. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026 Mosquitoes and infected people can move freely from one country to another, and success requires complex coordination between the governments. — ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infected

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from past participle of infect

First Known Use

Adjective

1534, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of infected was in 1534

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infected.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infected. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on infected

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster