infiltrate
Slip in undetected
To infiltrate is to pass into or through something gradually, often without detection.
Water infiltrates soil; spies infiltrate enemy organizations.
The word suggests stealth and patience—Undercover agents infiltrated the criminal network over several years.
It extends to ideas or influences that spread subtly: Social media has infiltrated every aspect of modern life.
The noun infiltration describes the process or result.
Breaking of agreement
pierce · probe · intrude · encroach · trespass · diffuse · pervade · saturate
One who acts independently
- operativeCovert field agent
- spyCovert information gatherer
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- undercoverSecretly engaged in espionage
intelligence · surveillance · counterintelligence · handler · asset · reconnaissance · informant · dead-drop
Deliberate disruption of operations
- undermineWeaken by stealth
- insurgencyArmed uprising against authority
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- rebellionDefiance of established power
uprising · destabilize · plot · conspiracy · traitor · saboteur · disrupt · subterfuge
Secret, undetected movement
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
incognito · undercover · secretive · hidden · unseen · furtive · shadowy · veiled
Shortcut or breach
- breachBreaking of agreement
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- backdoorHidden bypass mechanism
- exploitNotable act or abuse
phishing · firewall · encrypt · decrypt · cyberattack · intrusion · rootkit · spyware
Fix within surrounding material
- joinConnect or enlist
- insiderOne with confidential access
- informantOne who provides intelligence
- plantBotanical organism
recruit · cultivate · groom · befriend · network · organization · group · cell
breach
Breaking of agreement
access · pierce · probe · intrude · encroach · trespass · diffuse · pervade · saturate · insinuate
agent
One who acts independently
undercover · intelligence · surveillance · counterintelligence · handler · asset · reconnaissance · informant · dead-drop · tradecraft
sabotage
Deliberate disruption of operations
- undermineWeaken by stealth
- insurgencyArmed uprising against authority
- overthrowForcible removal from power
rebellion · uprising · destabilize · plot · conspiracy · traitor · saboteur · disrupt · subterfuge · coup
stealth
Secret, undetected movement
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- surreptitiousDone secretly, avoiding detection
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
camouflage · incognito · undercover · secretive · hidden · unseen · furtive · shadowy · veiled · undetected
hack
Shortcut or breach
exploit · phishing · firewall · encrypt · decrypt · cyberattack · intrusion · rootkit · spyware · keylogger
embed
Fix within surrounding material
plant · recruit · cultivate · groom · befriend · network · organization · group · cell · membership
reconnaissance
Information-gathering before action
- advanceMove or progress forward
- incursionHostile territorial penetration
- territoryLand under jurisdiction
forces · perimeter · defenses · occupation · assault · flank · insertion · extraction · patrol · ambush
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- investigatinginvestigate, examine, inspect, probe, search
- inward movementinhale, absorb, intake, retract, withdraw
- Spycraftspy, agent, asset, covert, handler
- intrusionsintrusion, intrude, intruder, intruding, barging in
- radiology findingsconsolidation, opacity, nodule, calcification, effusion
infiltrateenroll
Formally join a program
register · declare · make an entrance · matriculate · knock on the door
- infiltration basinsDepressions allowing water percolation
- water infiltrationLiquid passing through materials
infiltration, infiltrator, infiltrating, infiltrated, infiltrates, infiltrators, infiltrations