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
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Recent Examples of infiltrate
Months of covert planning led to the brazen operation that plunged the South American country’s capital into darkness as troops infiltrated Maduro’s home and whisked him to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
—
Konstantin Toropin, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent high-profile reports claiming micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) have infiltrated the human brain, arteries, and testes are facing a major scientific backlash.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Even so, this isn’t only a Shein story, but a broader one about China that reveals the superpower’s ambition to expand e-commerce as a beachhead for infiltrating Western markets despite mounting trade barriers, said Sheng Lu, professor of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
Mathias, a seasoned journalist who has long covered the far right, shows how activists variously confront and infiltrate such groups and reveal their members to the public.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infiltrate
Konstantin Toropin, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent high-profile reports claiming micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) have infiltrated the human brain, arteries, and testes are facing a major scientific backlash.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Even so, this isn’t only a Shein story, but a broader one about China that reveals the superpower’s ambition to expand e-commerce as a beachhead for infiltrating Western markets despite mounting trade barriers, said Sheng Lu, professor of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
Mathias, a seasoned journalist who has long covered the far right, shows how activists variously confront and infiltrate such groups and reveal their members to the public.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for infiltrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infiltrate
Verb
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Guerschon Yabusele leveraged his success at the Olympics to revive his career and sneak back into the NBA.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 Mar. 2026
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The most dangerous look in regulation for either team came in the 56th minute, when UC’s Hayden Goldstein nearly snuck a free kick from 36 yards out underneath the top crossbar before it was stopped by a leaping Williams.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum initially believed that the bug, which eluded detection and caused countless medical issues, wormed its way into her system while filming Bravo's The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in Morocco in early 2023.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
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Her strange presence in Georgia — where Gabbard reportedly arranged for FBI agents to make a post-raid call to the president — looks like nothing more than a way to worm her way back into his good graces.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the steak reads 130°F–135°F for medium-rare, about 5 minutes.—
Eric Wareheim,
Saveur,
26 Feb. 2026
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Try inserting it from the sides or top to see which way is easiest.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And there was certainly no sign any of the gubernatorial candidates plan to give up, bowing to concerns their large number could divide the Democratic vote and allow a pair of Republicans to slip through and emerge from California’s top-two primary.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Manuel then slipped into a stark white dress overflowing with ruffles and shrugged on a matching lace shawl with long fringing over it—all key elements to bringing his hypnotizing moves to life.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When the Miami Herald visited her home Wednesday evening, a man was working in the garage but refused to comment on what happened that day.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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James went to work in the post over the smaller Anthony Black, drawing a foul.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Infiltrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infiltrate. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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