infiltrator
Secret enemy within
An infiltrator is someone who secretly enters or gains access to an organization, place, or group—typically with hostile intent or to gather information.
The word implies deception: the infiltrator pretends to belong while serving outside interests.
Government infiltrators had been reporting on the group's activities for months.
The term appears in military, espionage, and political contexts, but extends to any covert entry: corporate infiltrators, police infiltrators at protests.
Covert intelligence gathering
- agentOne who acts independently
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- operativeCovert field agent
- moleSubterranean insectivore
informant · surveillance · counterintelligence · handler · asset · reconnaissance · tradecraft · dead-drop
Unlawful entrant on property
- invaderOne who enters aggressively
- interloperOne who enters uninvited
- breachBreaking of agreement
- penetrationEntry into something
unwelcome · intrusion · gatecrasher · saboteur · unauthorized · perimeter · detection · compromised
Not discovered yet
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- covertIntentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
surreptitious · furtive · shadowy · unseen · low-profile · incognito · under-the-radar · ghost
Protect by overlaying
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
- impersonationPretending to be another
ruse · duplicity · misdirection · fabrication · alias · backstory · forged · charade
espionage
Covert intelligence gathering
- agentOne who acts independently
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
- operativeCovert field agent
mole · informant · surveillance · counterintelligence · handler · asset · reconnaissance · tradecraft · dead-drop · debriefing
trespasser
Unlawful entrant on property
- invaderOne who enters aggressively
- interloperOne who enters uninvited
- breachBreaking of agreement
penetration · unwelcome · intrusion · gatecrasher · saboteur · unauthorized · perimeter · detection · compromised · access
undetected
Not discovered yet
- concealmentAct of hiding something
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- covertIntentionally concealed
clandestine · surreptitious · furtive · shadowy · unseen · low-profile · incognito · under-the-radar · ghost · silent
cover
Protect by overlaying
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- pretenseDeceptive outward show
impersonation · ruse · duplicity · misdirection · fabrication · alias · backstory · forged · charade · front
- espionagespy, spies, double agent, double agents, spying
- stealthsneak, ninja, creep, spy, skulk
- secret operativesspy, secret agent, double agent, sleeper agent, covert operative
- special forcesDelta Force, Green Berets, Navy SEALs, SAS, Spetsnaz
- intrudersintruder, trespasser, invader, burglar, prowler
- Assassinsassassin, hitman, John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, Brutus
infiltratorloyalist
Faithful supporter of authority
true believer · insider · stalwart · patriot · company man
infiltratorguard
Watchful defensive attention
defender · sentry · watchman · gatekeeper · counterintelligence agent
- infiltration basinsDepressions allowing water percolation
- water infiltrationLiquid passing through materials
infiltrate, infiltration, infiltrating, infiltrated, infiltrates, infiltrators, infiltrations