The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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infiltrate

verb

/ˈɪnf(ɪ)ltreɪt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of infiltrate

To gain entry into a group, organization, or place by slowly and secretly working one's way in.
"The hacker was able to infiltrate the computer system undetected."

Detailed meaning of infiltrate

It often implies a sense of stealth, subterfuge, or deception, as the infiltrator may be seeking to gather information, influence decisions, or carry out a covert mission. For example, a spy may infiltrate an enemy organization to gather intelligence, a police officer may infiltrate a criminal gang to gather evidence, or a reporter may infiltrate a closed community to uncover a story. Infiltration can also refer to the process of a substance or fluid slowly penetrating or seeping into something else, such as water infiltrating the ground or chemicals infiltrating a material. Overall, the verb infiltrate conveys a sense of persistence, determination, and cunning, and it is often used in situations where there is a need for secrecy or discretion.

Example sentences containing infiltrate

1. We must infiltrate the enemy base before dawn.
2. Their idea is to infiltrate the market with a competitive product.
3. You need to infiltrate the system and download the data.
4. I cannot infiltrate the group without your guidance.
5. Scientists have found a way to infiltrate the tumor with targeted drug delivery.
6. If we don't move fast, the mold will infiltrate the entire structure.

History and etymology of infiltrate

The verb 'infiltrate' has its etymological origins in the Latin word 'infiltrare,' which is a combination of 'in' meaning 'in' or 'into' and 'filtrare' meaning 'to filter' or 'to strain.' Therefore, 'infiltrate' etymologically conveys the idea of penetrating or seeping into something gradually and often discreetly, much like a liquid filtering through a porous material. Over time, it came to describe the act of gaining entry into a group, organization, or place by slowly and secretly working one's way in, often with the intent of espionage, subversion, or covert operation. The term 'infiltrate' emphasizes the subtle and often concealed nature of such entry, reflecting the idea of stealthily integrating oneself into a particular environment or community. Its etymology underscores the notion of gradual and clandestine penetration, much like a liquid seeping through a filter.

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Further usage examples of infiltrate

1. Should we infiltrate the gala to gather more information?
2. They'll try to infiltrate our lines; we must be ready.
3. The program is designed to infiltrate the user's computer without their knowledge.
4. You must infiltrate the ranks of the enemy without arousing suspicion.
5. Their plan is to infiltrate the organization from within.
6. The rebels hope to infiltrate the government and enact their own policies.
7. The floodwater will infiltrate the basement if we don't sandbag the doors.
8. Can we infiltrate the system without setting off any alarms?
9. We must infiltrate the compound by night to avoid detection.
10. They aim to infiltrate the art world with their avant-garde style.
11. She is trained to infiltrate high-security areas.
12. If we infiltrate the crowd, we can observe their behavior without disturbing them.
13. They're attempting to infiltrate the network in order to exploit it.
14. We need to infiltrate the fortress before the guards change shifts.