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
Officials are concerned the hackers infiltrated telecommunication systems and then targeted the candidates, the sources said.
—
Robert Legare, CBS News, 25 Oct. 2024
This season follows Joe (Saldaña), Kaitlyn (Kidman) and Byron (played by Michael Kelly) who are tasked with enlisting a new Lioness operative to infiltrate a new threat.
—Maxwell Millington, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024
Hell-bent on seeking justice for his peers, Darrow will sacrifice everything to infiltrate the Gold caste, competing for his life to bring down his enemies.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024
Books are written to infiltrate minds, shift narratives, and spur action, even if that action takes place solely in one’s imagination.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for infiltrate 
Robert Legare, CBS News, 25 Oct. 2024
This season follows Joe (Saldaña), Kaitlyn (Kidman) and Byron (played by Michael Kelly) who are tasked with enlisting a new Lioness operative to infiltrate a new threat.
—Maxwell Millington, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024
Hell-bent on seeking justice for his peers, Darrow will sacrifice everything to infiltrate the Gold caste, competing for his life to bring down his enemies.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024
Books are written to infiltrate minds, shift narratives, and spur action, even if that action takes place solely in one’s imagination.
—Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for infiltrate
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 5 Nov. 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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