infuse

verb

in-ˈfyüz How to pronounce infuse (audio)
Definition of infusenext
as in to suffuse
to cause (as a person) to become filled or saturated with a certain quality or principle parents who infuse their children with strong moral values

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb infuse differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of infuse are imbue, ingrain, inoculate, leaven, and suffuse. While all these words mean "to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout," infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

When could imbue be used to replace infuse?

While the synonyms imbue and infuse are close in meaning, imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

In what contexts can ingrain take the place of infuse?

Although the words ingrain and infuse have much in common, ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

When is inoculate a more appropriate choice than infuse?

The meanings of inoculate and infuse largely overlap; however, inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

When can leaven be used instead of infuse?

The synonyms leaven and infuse are sometimes interchangeable, but leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

When would suffuse be a good substitute for infuse?

While in some cases nearly identical to infuse, suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of infuse They are each infused with years of writing and editing in an earnest attempt, in each case, to win you over. —Literary Hub, 4 June 2025 According to designers, the goal should be to create a seamless transition between your indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing the calm and tranquility of nature to infuse your interior. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2025 This time Francis applied a PFD patch, a square silicone patch infused with perfluorodecalin, which helps with wound healing, to my tattoo. —Marie Lodi, Allure, 1 June 2025 Abramović’s work has always been educationally infused with Balkan wisdom and sensibilities from her childhood — she was born in Belgrade, Serbia, then part of Yugoslavia. —Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for infuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infuse
  1. suffuse
  2. imbue
Verb
  • His work is suffused with such affection for the edge places where Europe bleeds into its others—Venice, Trieste, Alexandria, Algiers—that the continent becomes all edge.
    — Nicholas Dames, Harpers Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Kaunas: Where the Grand Duchy Endures As the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania — one of Europe’s largest and most powerful nations during the Late Middle Ages and early Renaissance — Kaunas is suffused with history.
    — Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Definition of suffuse
Verb
  • The functional fragrance is meant to boost mood, bring inner balance and spark the senses, all while imbuing a sense of clarity and peace.
    — Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • These scenes ground Agathe, imbuing her with the headstrong determination of Jo March.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
Definition of imbue

Browse Nearby Words

infuriations
infuse
infused
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Cite this Entry

“Infuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infuse. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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