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Showing results for "infested"
Synonyms

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.


verb

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

Other Word Forms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

Michael Schmoyer -- the associate administrator for the country's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and head of the NWS Directorate -- said the infested beef calf "is not a danger to the food supply."

From Barron's Jun. 4, 2026

It was infested with so many scorpions that anyone entering the bathroom at night carried a flashlight.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 24, 2026

In this method, pest control workers drill into infested wood, reach the termite "gallery" or hiding area, and inject insecticide directly inside.

From Science Daily Apr. 20, 2026

The song “Weevily Wheat” refers to wheat that is infested with beetles or weevils that destroy the plants.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

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