infiltrate
to filter into or through; permeate.
to cause to pass in by filtering.
to move into (an organization, country, territory, or the like) surreptitiously and gradually, especially with hostile intent: The troops infiltrated the enemy lines.
to pass a small number of (soldiers, spies, or the like) into a territory or organization clandestinely and with hostile or subversive intent: The intelligence agency infiltrated three spies into the neighboring country.
to pass into or through a substance, place, etc., by or as by filtering.
Pathology. to penetrate tissue spaces or cells.
something that infiltrates.
Pathology. any substance penetrating tissues or cells and forming a morbid accumulation.
Origin of infiltrate
1Other words from infiltrate
- in·fil·tra·tive [in-fil-trey-tiv, in-fil-truh-], /ˈɪn fɪlˌtreɪ tɪv, ɪnˈfɪl trə-/, adjective
- in·fil·tra·tor [in-fil-trey-ter, in-fil-trey-], /ˈɪn fɪlˌtreɪ tər, ɪnˈfɪl treɪ-/, noun
- re·in·fil·trate, verb, re·in·fil·trat·ed, re·in·fil·trat·ing.
- un·in·fil·trat·ed, adjective
Words Nearby infiltrate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use infiltrate in a sentence
In 2008 Cromartie talked to The Gathering about the need to “infiltrate” secular media.
The $1-Billion-a-Year Right-Wing Conspiracy You Haven’t Heard Of | Jay Michaelson | September 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTI suppose we could infiltrate the government and do nothing.
Up To A Point: My Problem With People Who Agree With Me | P. J. O’Rourke | July 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTPolice sources confirm that the Millers conspired to infiltrate an unidentified court building and execute public officials.
North Korean special forces troops would infiltrate the devices into South Korea and use them against strategic targets.
Smoke Rings, Mystery Backpacks and Gun-Toting Robots: The Weird Wartech of the Korean Conflict | Kyle Mizokami | April 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut she was also having daily conversations with her OSI handlers about which drug rings she should try to infiltrate.
Spies, Lies, and Rape in the Air Force: An Undercover Agent's Story | Jacob Siegel | March 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
If it were his command hed have a sentry up there, watching for troops trying to infiltrate into the command area.
Second Variety | Philip Kindred DickWas there any time when your organization drew up a list of organizations, of other organizations, that it wanted to infiltrate?
Warren Commission (5 of 26): Hearings Vol. V (of 15) | The President's Commission on the Assassination of President KennedyWe had planned to infiltrate these various rightwing organizations.
Warren Commission (5 of 26): Hearings Vol. V (of 15) | The President's Commission on the Assassination of President KennedyTo what extent were you able to infiltrate, as you call it, General Walker's group?
Warren Commission (5 of 26): Hearings Vol. V (of 15) | The President's Commission on the Assassination of President KennedyHow did you infiltrate the Young Americans for Freedom, and what led you to believe you had been successful?
Warren Commission (5 of 26): Hearings Vol. V (of 15) | The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy
British Dictionary definitions for infiltrate
/ (ˈɪnfɪlˌtreɪt) /
to undergo or cause to undergo the process in which a fluid passes into the pores or interstices of a solid; permeate
military to pass undetected through (an enemy-held line or position)
to gain or cause to gain entrance or access surreptitiously: they infiltrated the party structure
something that infiltrates
pathol any substance that passes into and accumulates within cells, tissues, or organs
pathol a local anaesthetic solution injected into the tissues to cause local anaesthesia
Origin of infiltrate
1Derived forms of infiltrate
- infiltration, noun
- infiltrative, adjective
- infiltrator, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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