Infects

The verb 'infects' describes the act of contaminating something or someone with a disease-causing organism, agent, or influence. This can apply to physical ailments, psychological states, or abstract concepts like ideologies or behaviors. It signifies the introduction and spread of a harmful element that then causes undesirable effects. The process typically involves the transmission of a pathogen or negative attribute, leading to disruption, damage, or alteration of the affected entity or person. 'Infects' implies a process of initiation and propagation, where the impact expands beyond the initial point of contact.

Infects meaning with examples

• The doctor warned that the unhygienic conditions in the hospital could infect patients with dangerous bacteria, increasing their recovery time. A thorough cleaning and sterilization process was therefore absolutely crucial for all equipment, staff, and rooms. Consequently, an infection control team was brought in to manage hygiene concerns. This was all in an effort to ensure the patients' safe care.
• The politician's inflammatory rhetoric began to infect the public discourse, sowing seeds of distrust and animosity towards specific groups. His words were shared across multiple news outlets and therefore this made his words much more widely spread. After this, many people began to speak as if the politician was correct. This caused the public to distrust one another, based on their differing opinions.
• After the computer virus managed to infect the company's server, the entire network went down, halting operations and costing valuable business time. It took a considerable period for the IT team to clear the virus. This was because it spread at a rapid pace. This showed how important it is to have high-level security for all devices and systems.
• The artist's melancholic worldview began to infect his student's creative process. The student then began to use the same tones as the artist to tell his story. The student was happy when he was finished, and the artist praised him for the use of melancholy, however, the style was too similar. The mentor and student had an open discussion and they both agreed to move forward with originality.