infested

American  

[in-fes-tid] / ɪnˈfɛs tɪd /

adjective

1. overrun to an unwanted degree or in a troublesome manner by predatory animals or vermin (often used in combination).

   It is so difficult to eradicate cockroaches from an infested area.

   The only unguarded way of escape was through an alligator-infested swamp.

2. filled or riddled with anything undesirable or troublesome (usually used in combination).

   The restaurant sat in an increasingly tourist-infested part of town.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of infest.

Other Word Forms

• uninfested adjective

Etymology

Origin of infested

First recorded in 1890–1900; infest ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; infest ( def. ) + -ed ¹ ( def. ) for the verb sense

Example Sentences

Rats "the same size as a rabbit" have infested a city street where fly-tipping is an ongoing problem, residents say.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Experts advise removing and properly disposing of heavily infested trees, which entails chipping them.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2026

Old manuscripts are usually infested with woodworms, silverfish or “other microscopic creatures with a love of paper.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Experts believe the resurgence is linked to the movement of infested animals, often transported by people who unknowingly help the pest spread.

From Science Daily • Dec. 17, 2025

The rancher examined a few plants and said he thought a blight had infested the plants.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

Related Words

• ravaged