ENGLISH
REFERENCE

infiltrate

v.
C1 Advanced US //ˈɪnfɪɫˌtɹeɪt// UK //ˈɪnfɪltɹˌeɪt// in·fil·trate

v. to secretly enter a place or group to get information or cause damage. In medicine, it describes a liquid or substance slowly moving into a tissue or cell.

v. to gain access to an organisation or place surreptitiously, typically for espionage or subversion. In a physiological context, refers to the permeation of a substance or cells into a tissue or organ.


SIMPLE

The spy managed to infiltrate the enemy headquarters.

CONTEXTUAL

Undercover officers were able to infiltrate the criminal gang and gather enough evidence for an arrest.

COMPLEX

The report detailed how extremist elements attempted to infiltrate local government committees to influence policy from within, while simultaneously maintaining a facade of moderate civic engagement.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English infiltrate (adjective), from Medieval Latin infiltrātus, from infiltrō.

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.

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