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

/ ɪnˈfɛst /

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)

Derived Forms

• ˌinfesˈtation, noun
• inˈfester, noun

Other Words From

• in·fest·er noun
• re·in·fest verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of infest¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; from late Middle English, from Latin infestāre “to assail, molest,” from infestus “hostile”

Word History and Origins

Origin of infest¹

C15: from Latin infestāre to molest, from infestus hostile

Example Sentences

Lice are spread by direct contact with the hair or items that an infested person has used, like hats, combs, brushes, towels, pillows, beds or even stuffed animals.

From Los Angeles Times

The fly species was first found in California in 1960 and has been reintroduced every year since 1966 by infested fruits and vegetables coming into the state.

From Los Angeles Times

In April the ex-president called immigrants “not human.” and last month he called countries originally targeted by his Muslim ban “infested.”

From Salon

A single mum in Kent has said she is in despair after being moved to social housing infested with bedbugs.

From BBC

The suggestion that countries included in the initial Muslim ban are “infested” comes as Trump’s dehumanizing rhetoric against immigrants accelerates.

From Salon