infiltrate
Verb (Transitive):
- To enter or gain access to (an organization, place, etc.) surreptitiously and gradually, especially to acquire secret information or influence.
- To cause a liquid or substance to pass into or through something by penetrating its small openings or gaps.
Verb (Intransitive):
- To pass into or through something, especially by filtering or permeating.
- To pass through an enemy's line in a military conflict without being detected.
Verb (Transitive - entering an organization):
- The agency tried to infiltrate the criminal network.
- Spies had infiltrated the government department.
Verb (Transitive - causing a liquid to enter):
- The dye infiltrated the fabric, creating a deep color.
- Water can infiltrate the soil after heavy rain.
Verb (Intransitive - permeating):
- Toxic chemicals can infiltrate into the groundwater.
- Sunlight infiltrated through the dense canopy of leaves.
Verb (Intransitive - military context):
- Special forces were ordered to infiltrate behind enemy lines.
"To infiltrate oneself into": To deliberately and stealthily insert oneself into a group.
- The journalist infiltrated herself into the activist group to write an exposé.
Used in medical contexts to describe cells or substances spreading into tissues.
- The cancer cells began to infiltrate the surrounding healthy tissue.
Infiltrator (noun): A person who infiltrates, especially as a spy or saboteur.
- The infiltrator was discovered and arrested.
Infiltration (noun): The process or act of infiltrating.
- The infiltration of the compound was a success.
- Insinuate: To introduce oneself gradually into a favorable position.
- Permeate: To spread throughout something; to pass through.
- Penetrate: To enter or pass into or through.
(Note: "Infiltrate" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically expressed directly or with prepositions like "into" or "through.") - Infiltrate into: To enter a place or group stealthily. - They planned to infiltrate into the enemy's headquarters.
(Note: There are no common idioms centered solely on the word "infiltrate." Its use is typically direct and literal.)
- pass through an enemy line; in a military conflict
- pass into or through by filtering or permeating
- the substance infiltrated the material
- enter a group or organization in order to spy on the members
- The student organization was infiltrated by a traitor
- cause (a liquid) to enter by penetrating the interstices