to infiltrate / seep under
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to infiltrate
To secretly enter an organization or group in order to weaken, disrupt, or take it over from within.
Es gab den Verdacht, dass die Bewegung von Geheimagenten unterwandert wurde.
There was suspicion that the movement had been infiltrated by secret agents.
'Unterwandern' (to infiltrate / seep under) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'unter-' always stays attached to the verb and is not separated in the sentence. The stress is on the second syllable: unter-WAN-dern.
Die Polizei vermutet, dass die Bande die Firma unterwandert hat.
The police suspect that the gang has infiltrated the company.
The word is made up of 'unter' (under) and 'wandern' (to wander). The literal meaning, 'to wander underneath,' helps you understand both meanings: someone moves secretly 'under' the surface of an organization, or a liquid penetrates 'under' a layer.
Der Spion sollte die feindliche Regierung unterwandern.
The spy was supposed to infiltrate the enemy government.
'Unterwandern' (to infiltrate / seep under) is always used with an accusative object. You ask: whom or what is being infiltrated?
Die Hacker versuchten, das Sicherheitssystem zu unterwandern.
The hackers tried to infiltrate the security system.
In the figurative sense, 'unterwandern' (to infiltrate) is often used in the context of espionage, politics, or crime. Typical objects are: an organization, a party, a company, or a government.
Die Journalisten deckten auf, wie die Mafia das Unternehmen unterwandert hatte.
The journalists uncovered how the mafia had infiltrated the company.
This literal meaning is technical language, usually from geology or medicine. It describes how a liquid gets under a solid layer. Typical subjects are 'Wasser' (water), 'Regen' (rain), or 'Eiter' (pus).
Nach tagelangem Regen unterwanderte das Wasser das Fundament des Hauses.
After days of rain, the water seeped under the foundation of the house.
to penetrate / intrude
'eindringen' and 'unterwandern' can both mean that something or someone enters an area. 'Eindringen' is more general: it fits people who enter a place without permission, but also water, light, or sounds that get into something. 'Unterwandern' is more specific. With groups or organizations, it means that someone secretly enters in order to cause harm from within or gain influence. In specialized contexts, it can also mean that a liquid penetrates beneath a layer. The words can be confused because both describe getting into something. For a break-in or direct entry, 'eindringen' is more natural; for secret work inside a group, 'unterwandern' is more precise.
Die Gruppe versuchte, den Verein heimlich zu unterwandern.
The group tried to secretly infiltrate the association.
Durch das kaputte Fenster drang kalte Luft ins Zimmer ein.
Cold air entered the room through the broken window.