INFUSE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

infuse

verb

in-ˈfyüz

Definition of infuse

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

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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 Determined to create a formula that wasn’t cakey, heavy, or drying, Brown infused her formula with hydrating ingredients. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026 How surveillance technology infuses policing with even more racial bias. — Literary Hub, 24 Aug. 2026 These steak kebabs are marinated in an easy garlic, Fresno chile, coconut cream, and cilantro-lime sauce for four to 12 hours to really ensure each piece of steak is infused with flavor. — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2026 Rogow’s smooth hand keeps the comedy infused with the play’s serious aspects. — Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for infuse

Recent Examples of Synonyms for infuse

Verb

But Pete took the idea one step further, taking the organization’s iconic symbol — the star — and suffusing it with a deeper meaning.

— Rustin Dodd, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Cowin has brought the tradition up to date beginning in the late 1970s by suffusing her work with the look and feel of cinema and television (close-ups, storyboard-style progression), and the centering of women’s experience in the narrative.

— Leah Ollman, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of suffuse

Verb

Houston could soar within it because Parton imbued it with a musical and sentimental purity that made room for the enormity of her expressiveness.

— Ann Powers, NPR, 26 Aug. 2026
Part of it is imbuing a little personal flair to create an authentic representation of a modern Kermit.

— Mya Copeland, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of imbue

Verb

Pawloski said Amazon seemed to invest fewer resources into improving MTurk at the same time as more data labeling services arrived, causing many turkers to shift to competing platforms.

— Annie Palmer, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
Thanks to hundreds of millions of dollars invested into their respective football teams by eager boosters, both SMU and Texas Tech have jumped ahead of everyone else in this state for the best view of UT and A&M’s backsides.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of invest

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infused

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“Infuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infuse. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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