infiltrate
verb
in·fil·trate
ˈin-(ˌ)fil-ˌtrāt 
in-ˈfil-
in-ˈfil-
infiltrated; infiltrating
1
: to enter or become established in gradually or unobtrusively usually for subversive purposes
the intelligence staff had been infiltrated by spies
2
: to pass (troops) singly or in small groups through gaps in the enemy line
3
: to pass into or through (a substance) by filtering or permeating
4
: to cause (something, such as a liquid) to permeate something by penetrating its pores or interstices
: to enter, permeate, or pass through a substance or area by filtering or by insinuating gradually
infiltrate
noun
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 on the Web
One night, two parents, out of options, infiltrate a top-level dealer and pimp’s apartment complex to rescue their teenage daughter.
—
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024
Marijuana tied to Chinese criminal networks infiltrates Maine Kate Gibson
Kate Gibson is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch in New York.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2024
By the 90s, Dickies had infiltrated skateboarding culture as the go-to for durability and comfort.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024
However, an informant infiltrated the group and its plan was thwarted by the FBI.
—Gayle Pollard-Terry, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Yellow Dock Yellow does works in much of the same way as celery seed and chicory root to eliminate bacteria that can infiltrate the function of the gut.
—Michael Carroll, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Another irony is that anti-government paranoia led to the plotters being infiltrated and surveilled by government agents, busted in an action-movie-style scene, and, in some cases, incarcerated.
—Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024
Russian hackers allegedly infiltrated software made by US firm SolarWinds to steal emails from US government agencies in 2020.
—Sean Lyngaas, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
The stormers and the anchor group had made it to the Ukrainian trenches on the ridge and were waiting to infiltrate Tabaivka.
—Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 24 Apr. 2024
Marijuana tied to Chinese criminal networks infiltrates Maine Kate Gibson
Kate Gibson is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch in New York.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2024
By the 90s, Dickies had infiltrated skateboarding culture as the go-to for durability and comfort.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2024
However, an informant infiltrated the group and its plan was thwarted by the FBI.
—Gayle Pollard-Terry, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2024
Yellow Dock Yellow does works in much of the same way as celery seed and chicory root to eliminate bacteria that can infiltrate the function of the gut.
—Michael Carroll, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Another irony is that anti-government paranoia led to the plotters being infiltrated and surveilled by government agents, busted in an action-movie-style scene, and, in some cases, incarcerated.
—Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024
Russian hackers allegedly infiltrated software made by US firm SolarWinds to steal emails from US government agencies in 2020.
—Sean Lyngaas, CNN, 2 Apr. 2024
The stormers and the anchor group had made it to the Ukrainian trenches on the ridge and were waiting to infiltrate Tabaivka.
—Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 8 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infiltrate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near infiltrate
Cite this Entry
“Infiltrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infiltrate. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
infiltrate
verb
in·fil·trate
in-ˈfil-ˌtrāt
ˈin-(ˌ)fil-
ˈin-(ˌ)fil-
infiltrated; infiltrating
1
: to pass into or through by filtering
2
: to enter or become established gradually or secretly
Medical Definition
infiltrate
1 of 2 verb
in·fil·trate
in-ˈfil-ˌtrāt
ˈin-(ˌ)
ˈin-(ˌ)
infiltrated; infiltrating
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
: to enter, permeate, or pass through a substance or area
infiltrate
2 of 2 noun
: 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
a lung infiltrate
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