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 He’s flanked by Claymore and Fuller as John and Major Ridge, who both infuse a deep reverence for their characters in both of their performances. — Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026 It’s infused with murumuru butter and guava fruit extract so dry, dull skin can enjoy a nourishing, brightening finish. — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026 Mulled cider adds spices and citrus to apple cider, then heats the mixture to infuse those flavors. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026 If using herbs, blend and let the herbs infuse in the mixture for an hour, then strain through a chinois. — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 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

Mid-cap companies are also investing more in building new capacity, Nitin Bhasin, head of institutional equities at Ambit Capital, told CNBC.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Americans have conflicting sensibilities about the comparative virtues of investing money and paying down debt.

— Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of invest

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infuriations

infuse

infused

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“Infuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infuse. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of infuse

verb

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