verb
infiltrate
IHN-fihlt-rayt
verb
1
To secretly gain entry into an organization or place, often to spy or cause harm.
"The agent managed to infiltrate the smuggling ring within weeks."
"Hackers infiltrated the company's network through a fake email attachment."
2
To pass gradually into something, as a liquid seeping through a material.
"Rainwater slowly infiltrated the cracked foundation."
How to Use Infiltrate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo sneak into a place or group without being noticed, or to seep gradually into something.
Common pairings
infiltrate an organization
infiltrate enemy lines
infiltrate a network
Word Forms
infiltrated past tense, infiltrates plural, infiltrates singular
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The agent managed to _____ the smuggling ring within weeks.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin infiltratus, ultimately from in- ("into") plus filtrare ("to filter").