infest
verb (used with object)
to live in or overrun to an unwanted degree or in a troublesome manner, especially as predatory animals or vermin do.
have infested
-
present perfectof infest.present perfect
Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The same invasive insect was found to have infested grapevines sold at select Northern California Costco warehouses earlier this year, also triggering a major response to try to limit the insect’s impact.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026
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
Alligators and snakes have infested Sanibel Island after Hurricane Ian ripped through southwest Florida last week.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 5, 2022
And it’s quite at odds with the tone of the several trailers that have infested the internet prior to the picture’s opening.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 2, 2022
Artists have infested it; in fact the first wave of artists has almost come and gone, and brass lettering and heating pipes painted fire-engine red and firms of lawyers are taking .over.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
