infective

adjective

Definition of infectivenext
as in infectious

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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 infective On July 30, Ray updated her fans again, revealing her diagnosis of infective endocarditis, a severe heart infection. — Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 31 July 2024 People typically get malaria by being bitten by an infective female Anopheles mosquito. — Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2023 The parasite becomes infective one to five days after it is passed in the feces of the cat. — Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Aug. 2023 Symptoms usually appear seven to 30 days after an infective bite and include high fever, chills, body aches, diarrhea and vomiting, Maryland health department officials said. — Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 19 Aug. 2023 See All Example Sentences for infective
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infective
infectious
Adjective
  • The portable machine uses pulses of full-spectrum ultraviolet light to kill infectious germs inside hospital rooms.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Multiple baby goats at a North Carolina mobile petting zoo had rabies and may have been in direct contact with people at events while infectious, state health officials said Friday.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of infectious

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infectious
infective
infects
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Cite this Entry

“Infective.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infective. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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