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
Monkey Man told of a man who infiltrates a night club in order to exact vengeance on the man who killed his mother years earlier.
—
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 May 2025
Under Trump’s direction, Musk’s workers had already infiltrated much of the federal government in a lightning operation designed to overwhelm.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Such enforcements and fines are highly unlikely to move ahead now that DOGE has infiltrated the agencies responsible, with Trump’s blessing.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2025
Fox News primetime host Jesse Watters went so far as to suggest Goldberg had somehow infiltrated the group chat.
—Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infiltrate
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Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 May 2025
Under Trump’s direction, Musk’s workers had already infiltrated much of the federal government in a lightning operation designed to overwhelm.
—Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Such enforcements and fines are highly unlikely to move ahead now that DOGE has infiltrated the agencies responsible, with Trump’s blessing.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2025
Fox News primetime host Jesse Watters went so far as to suggest Goldberg had somehow infiltrated the group chat.
—Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for infiltrate
Cite this Entry
“Infiltrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infiltrate. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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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