What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infest
Example
The house was infested with cockroaches, making it difficult to live in. [infested: past participle]
Example
The crops were infested with pests, causing a significant loss in yield. [infested: adjective]
overwhelm
Example
I was overwhelmed with joy when I saw my family after a long time. [overwhelmed: adjective]
Example
The team was overwhelmed by the opponent's aggressive play. [overwhelmed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overwhelm is more commonly used than infest in everyday language. Overwhelm is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while infest is less common and refers to a specific type of negative presence.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between infest and overwhelm?
Both infest and overwhelm are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
