infiltrated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "infiltrated" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe the act of entering or gaining access to a place or group secretly, often for subversive purposes. Example: "The spy infiltrated the enemy organization to gather intelligence." Alternative expressions include "penetrated" and "invaded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One person whose campaign group was infiltrated told me the reason it often takes activists a while to spot undercover officers is denial.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whiting's view is shared by Emmet Cleaver, Sheffield Hallam Student Union's Welfare and Community Officer, who, in a sign that the devolutionary spirit has infiltrated student politics, will be taking a motion to NUS national conference to call for a full-time Yorkshire and Humberside Officer.

The Guardian

We all knew the left had been infiltrated by agents of the state, but I was small fry and never imagined they would pay any attention to me.

The Guardian

On Thursday a report by the US Senate armed services committee found that hackers associated with the Chinese government had repeatedly infiltrated the computer systems of US airlines, technology companies and other contractors involved in the movement of US troops and military equipment.

The Guardian

Although junkets are a legal business enterprise, organised crime has extensively infiltrated them, according to a 2003 investigative report on the triads commissioned by the Las Vegas Sands and obtained by the IRP.

The Guardian

Ministers had promised to tighten up the control of covert operations after revelations about the conduct of undercover officers – such as Mark Kennedy who infiltrated environmental groups for seven years – began to emerge in 2011.

The Guardian

Senior European and American diplomats and officials are also convinced, without supplying hard evidence, that the Russians have infiltrated, or are helping to fund, NGOs campaigning in Europe against fracking and the proposed free trade agreement between the EU and the US, and that they have also been quietly encouraging the Scottish and Catalan secessionist movements in Britain and Spain.

The Guardian

While there is understandable outrage over revelations that a long-term police agent infiltrated a non-violent green activist group which attempted to close a Nottingham power station, this scandal is nothing compared with what went on during Ulster's "dirty war".

The Guardian

New voters Conservatives were fearful that the minds of America's youth (that is, those born in 1980 and after) would be infiltrated by secular, liberal ideology.

The Guardian - Opinion

— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 21 , 2014WATCH: Our forces killed Hamas terrorists who infiltrated Israel today from Gaza http://t.co/XWDnUqt5yF Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 9.14am BSunday4 Sunday's events, the bloodiest day in the conflict so far, are summarised in this map.

The Guardian

In any realistic analysis it is worth examining exactly how deeply even such a professional outfit as the Provisional IRA was infiltrated by the beginning of the 1990s.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "infiltrated", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the nature of the entry – whether it was secretive, hostile, or insidious. Choose synonyms if a different nuance is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "infiltrated" when describing an entry that is not secretive or covert. "Entered", "joined", or "accessed" are more appropriate for non-clandestine situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "infiltrated" is that of a verb, specifically the past tense or past participle of "infiltrate". It describes an action of secretly entering or gaining access to a group or organization, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infiltrated" is a verb used to describe a secret or gradual entry into a group or organization. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the connotation of secrecy or subversion. Consider alternatives like "penetrated" or "permeated" if a different nuance is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

penetrated

Emphasizes physical entry or breaching a barrier.

permeated

Highlights the spread or diffusion throughout something.

invaded

Suggests a forceful or hostile entry.

infested

Implies a troublesome or unwanted presence after entry.

secretly entered

Focuses on the clandestine nature of the entry.

stealthily accessed

Emphasizes the covert and careful method of entry.

wormed its way into

Conveys a gradual and insidious entry.

gained access to covertly

Highlights the surreptitious attainment of entry.

surreptitiously entered

Underscores the secretive and underhanded entry.

smuggled itself into

Implies an illegal or unauthorized entry.

FAQs

How can I use "infiltrated" in a sentence?

Use "infiltrated" to describe someone or something that has entered a place or organization secretly and gradually, often to gain information or cause harm. For example, "The spy "infiltrated" the enemy camp".

What can I say instead of "infiltrated"?

You can use alternatives like "penetrated", "permeated", or "invaded" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "infiltrated" or "entered"?

"Infiltrated" implies a covert or secretive entry, often with a specific purpose, while "entered" is a more general term for simply going into a place. The choice depends on whether the entry was intended to be secret or not.

What's the difference between "infiltrated" and "smuggled"?

"Infiltrated" refers to a secret or gradual entry, often into an organization or system, while "smuggled" typically refers to the illegal transport of goods or people across a border or into a restricted area.