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
According to Carson, communists, Marxists, socialists and other leftists have insidiously undermined the nuclear family by infiltrating the media and universities.
—
Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2024
Amid this tumult, Hamas had been planning to infiltrate Israel by land, air, and sea, and not just for a one-off attack.
—Eric Cortellessa/jerusalem, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024
On their way to Sally and Franklin’s family slaughterhouse, the journey goes off course when a hitchhiker splatters blood on their RV, and masked serial killer Leatherface infiltrates the domestic setting.
—Edward Frumkin, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2024
The unquenched thirst for beauty has infiltrated virtually every section of our lives.
—Tayler Adigun, Essence, 5 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for infiltrate 
Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2024
Amid this tumult, Hamas had been planning to infiltrate Israel by land, air, and sea, and not just for a one-off attack.
—Eric Cortellessa/jerusalem, TIME, 8 Aug. 2024
On their way to Sally and Franklin’s family slaughterhouse, the journey goes off course when a hitchhiker splatters blood on their RV, and masked serial killer Leatherface infiltrates the domestic setting.
—Edward Frumkin, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2024
The unquenched thirst for beauty has infiltrated virtually every section of our lives.
—Tayler Adigun, Essence, 5 Aug. 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 19 Aug. 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