infiltrate

/ˈɪnfɪltreɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪnfɪltreɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin-(ˌ)fil-ˌtrāt in-ˈfil-/ (ame, mw)

infiltrate — verb

  • infiltratepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • infiltrateshe / she / it
  • infiltratedpast simple
  • infiltrating-ing form

1. to join a group, organization, or place quietly and without being noticed, usual

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

to join a group, organization, or place quietly and without being noticed, usually so that you can gather hidden information or change what the group does from inside.

例句

Two police officers managed to infiltrate the smuggling gang for nearly a year.

transitive: infiltrate + [group] for purpose of gathering evidence

Yara joined the protest movement and slowly infiltrated its inner planning committee.

named subject + infiltrate + inner [group]

同義詞
  • penetrate

    stronger; suggests breaking through a barrier rather than blending in

  • sneak into

    more informal; emphasises avoiding detection at the moment of entry, not long-term presence

文法句型

infiltrate + organization

infiltrate into + group

用法筆記

Object is typically a group, organization, movement, or guarded place — not an individual. Subject is usually a person or small team acting with hidden intent, often a spy, undercover officer, or journalist.

常見錯誤

❌The officer infiltrated the leader of the gang.
✅The officer infiltrated the gang led by Liang.
💡you infiltrate a group, not a person.

2. of a liquid, gas, or idea, to move bit by bit into a material, place, or system,

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

of a liquid, gas, or idea, to move bit by bit into a material, place, or system, usually in a way that is hard to see at first.

例句

Rainwater had infiltrated the basement walls and damaged the old wooden floor.

liquid subject: [water] + had infiltrated + [structure]

Smoke from the kitchen fire infiltrated every room before Pim could open the windows.

gas subject: smoke infiltrated + [enclosed space]

同義詞
  • seep

    limited to liquids and gases; sense 2's broader scope (ideas, customs) does not apply

  • permeate

    more formal; suggests reaching every part rather than gradual entry

文法句型

[substance] infiltrate + [material]

[substance] infiltrate into + [place]

用法筆記

Subject is the moving substance or idea, not the actor doing the moving. Distinguish from sense 1: here there is no hidden intent — the spread is physical or cultural, not strategic.

常見錯誤

❌Ada infiltrated water into the wall.
✅Water infiltrated the wall.
💡in this sense the substance is the subject, not what someone pushes in.