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)

Other Word Forms

• infester noun
• reinfest verb (used with object)
• infestation noun

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

When trees are infested with a few thousand beetles they can cope, using resin to flush the beetles out.

From BBC

Those most at risk are people working with livestock or those living in rural areas where infested livestock are present.

From BBC

"NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people."

From BBC

Jim Crow infested all parts of Prince Powe’s life when he was growing up in Mobile, Ala., in the 1950s — even the realm of God.

From Los Angeles Times

The Trumpworld version of Superman would fly that boy to “Alligator Alcatraz” to show him how cool it is to imprison immigrants in a swamp infested with crocodilians.

From Los Angeles Times