infiltrate

verb

ˈin-(ˌ)fil-ˌtrāt How to pronounce infiltrate (audio)
Definition of infiltratenext
as in to sneak
to introduce in a gradual, secret, or clever way over time, undercover agents infiltrated the crime ring and eventually busted their gambling racket

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 infiltrate Learn more › In the 1950s, plastic quickly began infiltrating the American household. — Shoshi Parks, Popular Science, 30 July 2026 Zoe Saldaña stars as the leader of a CIA team that consists exclusively of female operatives, traveling the world to infiltrate terror cells and eliminate high-ranking leaders. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 July 2026 The findings undercut one of the US government’s top concerns — that Chinese open-source AI models are a pathway for Chinese political ideas to infiltrate the views of those who use them. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 July 2026 Still, bits and pieces of the avant-garde dream infiltrated the mainstream. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for infiltrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infiltrate
  1. sneak
  2. worm
  3. insert
  4. slip
  5. work in
Verb
  • Most recently, Hadid seemingly snuck a photo of Cooper in a July Instagram carousel.
    — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
  • No matter where his assistant coaches went while at Alabama, former coach Nick Saban always had a watchful eye on his staff members who would sneak out of the office for a round of golf.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of sneak
Verb
  • Like parasites, those jukebox musicals wormed their way into Broadway and slowly killed the medium.
    — Jesse Eisenberg, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • After a series of personal setbacks, Ingrid moves to Los Angeles to be closer to Taylor, masterminding their meeting and worming her way into her inner circle.
    — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026
Definition of worm
Verb
  • Workers line each deposition hole with compressed bentonite clay blocks before inserting the copper containers.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Now, with Arraez inserted into the lineup and Harper returning to the outfield, the Phillies are betting that a defensive sacrifice from one of their biggest stars will ultimately make the roster more dangerous.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of insert
Verb
  • Shares of SpaceX slid more than 5% after the results were released and continued to slip during the conference call with top executives including Musk and President Gwynne Shotwell.
    — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Jupiter showed cloud bands and its Great Red Spot could be seen just slipping off the edge, with three of its moons also in the field.
    — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of slip
Verb
  • Also, the conniving acts of communication and coordination don’t have to work in real-time.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • In Salisbury, which has become a hub for Haitians who work in nearby factories and farms, ICE recently started detaining people in parking lots and other areas immigrants frequent, according to Fouché of Safe Harbor Circles.
    — Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of work in

Browse Nearby Words

infightings
infiltrate
infiltrated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infiltrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infiltrate. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of infiltrate for Spanish Speakers

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