infiltrate

verb

in·​fil·​trate ˈin-(ˌ)fil-ˌtrāt How to pronounce infiltrate (audio) in-ˈfil- How to pronounce infiltrate (audio)
infiltrated; infiltrating

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to enter, permeate, or pass through a substance or area by filtering or by insinuating gradually
infiltrate noun
infiltration noun
infiltrative
ˈin-(ˌ)fil-ˌtrā-tiv How to pronounce infiltrate (audio)
in-ˈfil-trə-
adjective

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
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.
Social media, and the multitude of trends that infiltrate the average teen’s feeds, may disrupt the formation of a healthy self-esteem by feeding them information that damages their self-image. Sherri Gordon, Clc, Parents, 29 Nov. 2024 Keeping the salt line downstream is especially important because there is not ample infrastructure in the region for desalinization to be a viable option if the salt line were to infiltrate the drinking water system in the near future, Shallcross said. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 27 Nov. 2024 Since infiltrating Apple’s App Store is difficult, hackers trick people into downloading apps from third-party stores or random websites. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 25 Nov. 2024 As technology continues to infiltrate and transform mathematics, the question will only become more pressing. Joseph Howlett, WIRED, 24 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for infiltrate 

Word History

First Known Use

1758, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of infiltrate was in 1758

Dictionary Entries Near infiltrate

Cite this Entry

“Infiltrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infiltrate. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

infiltrate

verb
in·​fil·​trate in-ˈfil-ˌtrāt How to pronounce infiltrate (audio) ˈin-(ˌ)fil- How to pronounce infiltrate (audio)
infiltrated; infiltrating
1
: to pass into or through by filtering
2
: to enter or become established gradually or secretly
infiltration noun

Medical Definition

infiltrate

1 of 2 verb
in·​fil·​trate in-ˈfil-ˌtrāt How to pronounce infiltrate (audio) ˈin-(ˌ) How to pronounce infiltrate (audio)
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

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

More from Merriam-Webster on infiltrate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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