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
The resurgence shows that the Chinese government isn't backing down from its quest to infiltrate American utilities in preparation for a potential destructive cyberattack.
—
Sam Sabin, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
Sunni Muslim rebels infiltrated Lebanon, clashing with Lebanese soldiers and Hezbollah, abducting locals and setting off suicide bombs.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 9 Dec. 2024
The Chinese started it—not actually MSS themselves, but one of its arm’s length hacking groups which managed to infiltrate US telco networks.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
In January, Israeli special forces, dressed as civilians and medical staff, infiltrated the Ibn Sina hospital in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Tuesday and killed three Palestinian men.
—Mick Krever, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for infiltrate 
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.
Sam Sabin, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024
Sunni Muslim rebels infiltrated Lebanon, clashing with Lebanese soldiers and Hezbollah, abducting locals and setting off suicide bombs.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 9 Dec. 2024
The Chinese started it—not actually MSS themselves, but one of its arm’s length hacking groups which managed to infiltrate US telco networks.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
In January, Israeli special forces, dressed as civilians and medical staff, infiltrated the Ibn Sina hospital in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin on Tuesday and killed three Palestinian men.
—Mick Krever, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for infiltrate
Dictionary Entries Near infiltrate
Cite this Entry
“Infiltrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infiltrate. Accessed 25 Dec. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share