infest
- v. 骚扰, 寄生于, 大批出没
- Definition
- v. to be present in a place in large numbers, often causing harm
- Example
- Cockroaches can infest a kitchen if food is left out.
- 如果食物暴露在外，蟑螂就会在厨房里大量滋生。
Synonyms & Differences 近义词辨析
Compared meaning: pests entering and causing harm in large numbers (verb).
比较义项：（害虫等）大批侵入、寄生或出没于某处并造成危害（动词）。
- invade
Focuses on the act of moving into and spreading through a place; often describes a sudden or repeated incursion rather than an already-established large population.
强调进入并蔓延扩散这一动作，常指突然或反复发生的侵入，而不强调某处已经存在大量数量。
A single line of ants can invade a clean kitchen within minutes.
一队蚂蚁几分钟内就能侵入一个干净的厨房。
- infest 本词
Focuses on a large, often ongoing population already present in a place, usually causing trouble; typically used in the passive pattern 'be infested with'.
强调某处已经存在大量、往往是长期的（害虫等）并造成困扰，常用被动结构“be infested with”表达。
This old apartment is infested with cockroaches that hide behind the walls.
这间老公寓里到处是蟑螂，藏在墙壁后面。
Invade and infest both describe pests causing harm. Invade focuses on the action of moving in and spreading, sometimes suddenly. Infest focuses on a large population already present, often used as 'be infested with'. This does not cover invade meaning an army entering a country.
invade 强调“侵入、向某处蔓延扩散”这一动作过程，可以是突然的一次侵入；infest 强调某处已经有大量害虫等长期盘踞、造成困扰，常与介词 with 搭配构成被动式。这里不比较 invade 表示军队“入侵（国家、地区）”的义项。