infiltrate

verb in·fil·trate \ in-ˈfil-ˌtrāt , ˈin-(ˌ)fil- \

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

Examples: infiltrate in a Sentence

Definition of infiltrate

infiltrated; infiltrating

transitive verb

1 : to cause (something, such as a liquid) to permeate something by penetrating its pores or interstices

2 : to pass into or through (a substance) by filtering or permeating

3 : to pass (troops) singly or in small groups through gaps in the enemy line

4 : to enter or become established in gradually or unobtrusively usually for subversive purposes

the intelligence staff had been infiltrated by spies

intransitive verb

: to enter, permeate, or pass through a substance or area by filtering or by insinuating gradually

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infiltrate

noun

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infiltration

play \ˌin-(ˌ)fil-ˈtrā-shən\ noun

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infiltrative

play \ˈin-(ˌ)fil-ˌtrā-tiv, in-ˈfil-trə-\ adjective

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infiltrator

play \in-ˈfil-ˌtrā-tər, ˈin-(ˌ)fil-\ noun

See infiltrate defined for English-language learners

See infiltrate defined for kids

Examples of infiltrate in a Sentence

The gang was infiltrated by undercover agents.
Attempts to infiltrate undercover agents into the gang have failed.
Water can easily infiltrate the soil.

Recent Examples of infiltrate from the Web

The Fringe Factor: Mesrobian carefully lays the groundwork for a plot twist that infiltrates the show in its third act, but the laugh supply falls dangerously low as pathos takes over.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Review: Callbacks - Fringe 2018," 14 May 2018
An unruly youth movement that has infiltrated the pop charts attracted more than 15,000 revelers to the Flyover festival at Providence Medical Center Amphitheater on Saturday.

— bill brownlee, kansascity, "Delays test patience of Post Malone fans at Flyover festival in Bonner Springs | The Kansas City Star," 6 May 2018
Bolton and Pompeo have ties to individuals and groups that regard Islam not so much as a religion, but as a political ideology that is infiltrating the United States and other Western countries with the goal of imposing Muslim law.

— julie hirschfeld davis, BostonGlobe.com, "Kelly advised a resistant Trump to fire EPA chief," 6 Apr. 2018
Ahead of the World Cup, tensions between the two countries skyrocketed when West German Chancellor Willy Brandt resigned, after it was discovered that an East German spy had infiltrated his inner circle.

— SI.com, "World Cup Countdown: 11 Weeks to Go - East Germany Silence Their Noisy Neighbours in 1974," 4 Apr. 2018
The brunch will also offer a sharable cocktail popularized in New York that hasn’t infiltrated Charm City yet: a Moscow mule that weighs 10 pounds.

— wesley case, baltimoresun.com, "Bethesda's Duck Duck Goose to open in Fells Point in June," 24 May 2018
Ever since professional sports were created, players have been betting on games and gamblers have been finding ways to infiltrate the games to shift the odds in their favor.

— chris chase, For The Win, "11 biggest scandals in sports gambling history," 16 May 2018
The group sued Veritas last year in federal court in Washington, alleging O'Keefe's organization had illegally infiltrated it.

— patrick marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Attorney General Brad Schimel concludes for the second time Project Veritas videos show no voter fraud by Dem activist," 14 May 2018
In this video, TIME spoke to political activists who have been duped by trolls, cyber warfare experts and Russian trolls themselves to gain insight into how the U.S. election season was infiltrated.

— arpita aneja, Time, "How to Spot a Russian Troll," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'infiltrate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of infiltrate

1758

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

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infiltrate Synonyms

Synonyms

insinuate, slip, sneak, wind, work in, worm, wriggle;

Related Words

creep, edge, wiggle;

insert, interpolate, interpose, introduce;

INFILTRATE Defined for English Language Learners

infiltrate

verb

Definition of infiltrate for English Language Learners

: to secretly enter or join (something, such as a group or an organization) in order to get information or do harm
: to cause (someone) to secretly enter or join a group, organization, etc.
: to pass into or through (something)

Medical Dictionary

infiltrate

verb in·fil·trate \ in-ˈfil-ˌtrāt , ˈin-(ˌ) \

medical Definition of infiltrate

infiltrated; infiltrating

transitive verb

1 : to cause (as a liquid) to permeate something by penetrating its pores or interstices

infiltrate tissue with a local anesthetic

2 : to pass into or through (a substance) by filtering or permeating

intransitive verb

: to enter, permeate, or pass through a substance or area

infiltrate

noun

medical Definition of infiltrate

: something that passes or is caused to pass into or through something by permeating or filtering; especially : a substance that passes into the bodily tissues and forms an abnormal accumulation