Infiltrative

The adjective 'infiltrative' describes something that gradually penetrates or pervades a space, organization, or system, often in a subtle or insidious manner. It implies a slow, incremental spread, potentially leading to significant or even detrimental changes. This characteristic often relates to actions that are surreptitious, or involve seeping into a place or system, causing it to undergo change from within. The infiltrative process can be biological (e.g., a spreading disease), political (e.g., an agent working undercover), or even abstract (e.g., the gradual adoption of new ideologies). The consequence of infiltrative behaviour tends to be a significant alteration over a long period.

Infiltrative meaning with examples

• The historian detailed how the spy's infiltrative strategy, over years of cultivating relationships, undermined the organization's security. His actions created chaos due to his stealth approach and undermined the foundation of the establishment by sharing the secrets he unearthed and exploited, which led to its collapse.
• The doctor noticed the infiltrative nature of the cancer cells, as they slowly spread from the initial tumor to neighboring tissues and organs. This gradual spread required urgent treatment as the illness began to compromise the functionality of important regions of the body and cause it to suffer.
• The marketing team designed an infiltrative campaign, placing subtle advertisements within existing social media communities to reach the target audience. Its success came because of the slow and patient approach and was able to get the message directly into the targeted demographic.
• The environmental study revealed an infiltrative contamination pattern, as pollutants slowly seeped from the industrial site into the groundwater, impacting the local ecosystem. The contamination was slow, but it was relentless and destroyed the ecology by the end of the process.
• Critics worried about the infiltrative effects of the new technology, fearing its ability to subtly influence consumer behavior and social norms over time. The use of this tech had the potential to change society. The more people used it the more their behaviours would be changed in ways that were potentially invisible.