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.
But when the Israeli secret service recruits Uri for a dangerous mission in Germany, he is forced to return home and infiltrate a cell of SS veterans with the aim of locating the Nazi war criminal, Mengele. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025 With time running out and no viable diplomatic solutions, authorities send in Snake to infiltrate the island and rescue the President in exchange for his own freedom. Travis Bean, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025 In what many critics called a return to form for Spike, his 2018 crime drama BlacKkKlansman saw John David Washington as a detective trying to infiltrate and expose a local Ku Klux Klan chapter. Brendan Le, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025 Inspired by one of the most remarkable criminal investigations ever conducted, the six-part drama follows a group of British Customs employees sent undercover to infiltrate some of the country’s most dangerous criminal drug gangs. Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Infiltrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infiltrate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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

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